Job Description Summary

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is seeking highly motivated applicants to Research Assistant position in neuropathology and neuroimmunology for the unique interdisciplinary program. The project encompasses both basic and translational research.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000984 COM NEURO RES Operations CC

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-04

Pay Range

$29,061 - $41,415 - $53,769

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Description:

Research Assistant at Neuroscience at MUSC, Charleston

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is seeking highly motivated applicants to Research Assistant position in neuroscience for the unique interdisciplinary program. The project encompasses both basic and translational research.

Aberrant immune activity after brain injury during prenatal life affects critical phases of brain development, with long-lasting behavioral abnormalities relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The complement (C) system is a central effector mechanism of innate and adaptive immunity. It is involved in essential neurobiological functions related to brain development, including synaptic remodeling, neuronal migration, and response to brain insults. Our studies have revealed a central role for C in recognizing injured neurons/synapses and promoting their engulfment by microglia. This project investigates the mechanisms of a C-mediated secondary immune response in the developing brain following neo/prenatal brain injury.

Studies utilize different mouse models of mild and severe pediatric brain injury. In addition, he/she will bring a background in microscopy, in mouse behavioral studies and neuropathology. This research program will be supervised by Dr. Onder Albayram, Ph.D. from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine that can provide exposure and training in the newly linked neuro and immune disciplines. Successful candidates will have strong communications skills in a suitable discipline of biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, pharmacology, physiology, or neuroscience. He/she will bring strong background in mouse behavioral studies, rodent surgeries, and neuropathology. Candidate will care for mouse colonies.

: UNIV-Band 4: $31,561.00 - $44,977.00 - $58,393.00 (min - mid - max)

FLSA: Hourly

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: A high school diploma and two years work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge and Skills: Strong communications skills and a B.Sc. or/and M.Sc. in a suitable discipline of biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, or physiology, or neuroscience. Experience in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and work experience directly related to the assigned research area. Previous experience with mice.

Experience with animal husbandry/genotyping, or animal behaviors and Protein and Nucleic Acid isolation, Protein Assays is preferred. Willingness to learn new techniques is required.

Guidelines and Supervision: The PI’s will be readily available and will meet with the research fellow frequently. The position is highly independent and should be able to carry-out projects including troubleshooting. Literature update and manuscript drafting.

Job Duties - List job duties and provide the percentage based on that breakdown. Must Equal 100%

Performs mouse behavioral tests at the Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Core Facility at MUSC, recorded using ANY-Maze software and analyzed in a blinded manner. These neurobehavioral tests will include: i) Elevated Plus Maze and Bright-light Open Field Test for impulsivity/anxiety, ii) Sucrose Preference Test and Passive Avoidance Test for depression-like behavior, iii) Neurological Severity Scoring and Accelerated Rotarod Test for sensorimotor competency, and iv) Barnes Maze and Novel Object Location Recognition Test for learning and memory. (30%)

Prepares daily records of experimental procedures and results maintain laboratory supplies Extracts. Analyzes Histopathology and Western Blot in the laboratory with PI’s supervision (30%)

Management of mice breeding colony, which includes Setting up breeding pairs, Weaning, ID system, and Tail snips for genetic testing (20%).

Performs mouse genotyping and help maintain animal (mouse) colonies (15%)

Upon request, performs other tasks requested by faculty to maintain a smooth operation of the laboratory (5%).

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous)
Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent)
Ability to climb, using step stool. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous)
Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent)
Ability to fully use both legs. (Frequent)
Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent)
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. (Continuous)
Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent)
Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/
Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. (Frequent)
Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted. (Frequent)
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous)
Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally. (Continuous)
Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous)
Ability to hear and/or understand conversations. (Continuous)
Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous)
Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. (Continuous)

Additional New Requirements:
Ability to work rotating shifts as required.
Ability to work overtime as required.
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and two years work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb, using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both legs. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. (Continuous) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/ Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to hear and/or understand conversations. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. (Continuous) Additional New Requirements: Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees