<p>Job Description Summary</p> <p>A position for Staff Scientist I/Lab Manager is open in the laboratory of Dr. Russell W. Jenkins. The successful candidate will oversee lab operations as well as assist in the planning and oversight of research projects that utilize in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro tumor model systems to examine novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The successful candidate has extensive experience with in vivo murine tumor models in the investigation of mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer immunotherapy to examine novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The level of complexity of this work is high with requisite knowledge of murine tumor models, cancer cell biology, T cell biology, basic immunology, and cancer immunology.</p> <p>This position requires previous laboratory management experience and experience supervising 1 or more research technicians and assisting in the teaching and training of graduate students and other trainees. The candidate is also expected to develop new areas of research, conduct experiments and perform independent data analysis, assist with the preparation of manuscripts and grants, and present at meetings.</p> <p>Principal duties are to assist in experiments for research projects under supervision of the project head and the PI of the laboratory. Specifically, the lab is part of Medical University of South Carolina & Hollings Cancer Center and the focus is on cancer immunotherapy. The primary role of this position is to process patient samples from the clinic using the lab's cutting-edge technology to evaluate response and resistance to cancer immunotherapeutics.</p> <p>Entity</p> <p>Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)</p> <p>Worker Type</p> <p>Employee</p> <p>Worker Sub-Type</p> <p>Research Grant</p> <p>Cost Center</p> <p>CC000970 COM DOM Hematology/Oncology CC</p> <p>Pay Rate Type</p> <p>Salary</p> <p>Pay Grade</p> <p>University-00</p> <p>Pay Range</p> <p>0.00 - 0.00 - 0.000</p> <p>Scheduled Weekly Hours</p> <p>40</p> <p>Work Shift</p> <p>Job Description</p> <p>Job Duties:</p> <ul> <li> <p>30% - In vivo mouse tumor models</p> </li><li> <p>20% - Ex vivo and in vitro tumor models</p> </li><li> <p>20% - laboratory management</p> </li><li> <p>10% - Independently troubleshoots technical problems, such as equipment malfunctions and issues in experimental assays.</p> </li><li> <p>10% - Develops new research directions for the development and evaluation of novel small molecule, large molecule, and cellular therapeutics, as well as developing and adapting experimental models and methodologies to carry out these investigations.</p> </li><li> <p>5% - Data analysis and manuscript preparation. Including but not limited to:</p> </li><li> <p>Graphing and visualization of data with software including Graphpad Prism, FlowJo, Snapgene, Biorender, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Illustrator</p> </li><li> <p>Presenting data during lab meetings</p> </li><li> <p>Preparing publication quality figures, may be involved in writing of manuscripts</p> </li><li> <p>Efforts will directly contribute to grant applications and manuscripts</p> </li><li> <p>5% - Assists in the supervision and training of new lab members.</p> </li></ul> <p>Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Together with the PI, assist with management of laboratory staff, including training , scheduling (lab meetings), and performance evaluations.</p> </li><li> <p>Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, including maintenance of equipment, inventory management, and ordering supplies.</p> </li><li> <p>Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements in the laboratory.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with principal investigators and research teams to facilitate project execution and data collection.</p> </li><li> <p>Assist in the development and implementation of research protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).</p> </li><li> <p>Monitor and maintain laboratory budgets and expenditures.</p> </li><li> <p>Facilitate communication between laboratory personnel and administrative staff.</p> </li><li> <p>Participate in grant writing and provide administrative support for research projects.</p> </li><li> <p>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 RNA-sequencing) studies using established and novel mouse models of cancer</p> </li><li> <p>Develop and validate new mouse cancer models to investigate specific tumor types and therapeutic strategies.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including molecular biologists, biochemists, and clinical researchers, to support translational research efforts.</p> </li><li> <p>Manage and care for the mouse colony, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and institutional animal care regulations.</p> </li><li> <p>Document and present research findings in internal meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.</p> </li><li> <p>Assist in mentoring junior scientists and students in laboratory techniques and research methodologies.</p> </li><li> <p>Stay current with advancements in cancer biology and laboratory technologies, including but limited to:</p> </li><li> <p>Ex vivo 3D microfluidic culture, drug/antibody treatment of murine- and patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS/PDOTS) and cell line derived monotypic tumor spheroids (MTS)</p> </li><li> <p>Perform requisite fluorescence-based viability assessment of MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS, including staining, microscope operation, image acquisition and image analysis</p> </li><li> <p>Maintain internal records related to MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS processing along with associated meta-data</p> </li><li> <p>English language fluency</p> </li><li> <p>Good verbal and written communication skills</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work independently and as member of a team</p> </li><li> <p>Previous experience working with patient-tumor tissue is ideal, but not essential.</p> </li><li> <p>Supervising up to three technicians.</p> </li></ul> <p>Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: A PhD with 2 years post-doctorate experience.</p> <p>Additional Job Description</p> <p>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. (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)</p> <p>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.</p> <p>If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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</p>