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

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

Charleston, South Carolina

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

R-...

Charleston, South Carolina

Unclassified Nonfaculty-University

Other

Full Time

University (UNIV)

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 day-to-day 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 Sub-Type

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000970 COM DOM Hematology/Oncology CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

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 RNA-sequencing) 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 knock-in 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 day-to-day 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 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)

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

Perform requisite fluorescence-based 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 meta-data

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 cross-functional 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 peer-reviewed 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 post-doctorate experience and one year experience as a staff scientist.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, and Abilities: Previous experience working with patient-tumor 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 - 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)

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.