UNIV - Senior Research Associate - Department of Medicine: Division of Hematology Oncology

Job Description Summary

The Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr. Russell W. Jenkins. This position will support and manage daytoday lab operations and play a key role in planning and executing research projects focused on understanding and overcoming resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Research efforts will involve in vivo ex vivo and in vitro tumor model systems with a particular emphasis on murine tumor models.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in working with mouse models of cancer and a strong background in cancer cell biology T cell biology immunology and cancer immunotherapy. This position requires a high level of technical and scientific expertise particularly in the use of in vivo tumor models to explore therapeutic mechanisms and responses.
In addition to managing lab operations and conducting experiments the candidate will contribute to the development of new research directions perform independent data analysis support manuscript and grant preparation and present findings at scientific meetings.

This role also involves processing patient samples from the clinic using advanced lab technologies to evaluate patient response and resistance to immunotherapy. The research is part of a broader collaborative effort between MUSC and the Hollings Cancer Center focused on advancing cancer immunotherapy.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker SubType

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000970 COM DOM Hematology/Oncology CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University00

Pay Range

0.00 0.00 0.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Duties:

30% In Vivo Mouse Tumor Model Development and Management:

• Design execute and analyze experiments utilizing mouse models to study cancer progression and treatment responses including tumor implantation monitoring and endpoint analysis for efficacy (tumor volume survival) and correlative (immunophenotyping single cell RNAsequencing) studies using established and novel mouse models of cancer

• Develop and validate new mouse cancer models to investigate specific tumor types and therapeutic strategies specifically transgenic models including inducible and conditional knockout modes and knockin models

• Supervise mouse colonies ensuring compliance with ethical standards and institutional animal care regulations.

20% Lab Management:

• In conjunction with the PI provide management of laboratory staff including training scheduling (lab meetings) and performance evaluations.

• Oversee daytoday laboratory operations including maintenance of equipment inventory management and ordering supplies.

• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements in the laboratory.

• Monitor and maintain laboratory budgets and expenditures.

• Facilitate communication between laboratory personnel and administrative staff.

• Collaborate with principal investigators and research teams to facilitate project execution and data collection.

• Assist in the development and implementation of research protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Participate in grant writing and provide administrative support for research projects.

20% Ex Vivo and In Vitro Tumor Model Development and Management:

• Ex vivo3D microfluidic culture drug/antibody treatment of murine and patientderived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS/PDOTS) and cell line derived monotypic tumor spheroids (MTS)

• Developing augmented 3D microfluidic organotypic tumor spheroid cultures using matched (autologous) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or CD3 enriched peripheral T lymphocytes coculture with MTS/PDOTS

• Perform requisite fluorescencebased viability assessment of MDOTS PDOTS and MTS including staining microscope operation image acquisition and image analysis

• Maintain internal records related to MDOTS PDOTS and MTS processing along with associated metadata

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including molecular biologists biochemists and clinical researchers to support translational research efforts.

10% Lab Maintenance:

• Troubleshoots and resolves equipment malfunctions to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operation of laboratory instruments and workflows.

• Identifies and resolves issues in experimental assays to ensure accurate and reliable results maintaining the integrity of laboratory procedures and data quality.

10% Research and Therapeutic Development:

• Develops new research directions focused on novel small molecule large molecule and cellular therapeutics.

• Designs and implements strategies for the evaluation of emerging therapeutics approaches.

• Develops and adapts experimental models and methodologies to support innovative research initiatives.

• Collaborates with crossfunctional teams to advance scientific discovery and therapeutic innovation.

5% Data analysis and manuscript preparation:

• Graphing and visualization of data with software including Graphpad Prism FlowJo Snapgene Biorender Microsoft Powerpoint Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator

• Document and present research findings in internal meetings conferences and peerreviewed publications.

• Preparing publication quality figures

• Participate in grant writing and provide administrative support for research projects.

5% Lab Member Training and Supervision:

• Assist in mentoring junior scientists and students in laboratory techniques and research methodologies.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:A PhD with 5 years postdoctorate experience and one year experience as a staff scientist.

Preferred Experience Knowledge and Abilities: Previous experience working with patienttumor tissue is ideal but not essential. Previous laboratory management experience and supervising research technicians required.

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous 68 hours per shift; Frequent 26 hours per shift; Infrequent 02 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform pinching operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs. unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects up to 30 lbs. from floor level to height of 72 inches unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects up to 30 lbs. from height of 72 inches to floor level unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas such as darkrooms. (Frequent)

Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. 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 EVerify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the EVerify program please click here: Experience:

Senior IC