Job Description Summary
The Langdon Lab in the Department of Pediatrics and the Darby Children’s Research Institute is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to assist in ongoing efforts to develop and characterize novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric cancer research. The lab uses a combination of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models to elucidate the intracellular drivers of pediatric sarcoma growth.

Entity
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type
Employee

Worker Sub-Type
Temporary

Cost Center
CC001013 COM PEDS Children's Research Institute CC

Pay Rate Type
Salary

Pay Grade
University-00

Pay Range
$0 - $0 - $0

Scheduled Weekly Hours
20

Work Shift

Job Description

The Langdon Lab in the Department of Pediatrics and the Darby Children’s Research Institute is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to assist in ongoing efforts to develop and characterize novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric cancer research. The lab uses a combination of in vitro , ex vivo and in vivo models to elucidate the intracellular drivers of pediatric sarcoma growth. The research will particularly focus on using cell line and patient derived xenografts to dissect the molecular mechanisms of Ewing sarcoma growth, development, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Studies will use a suite of complementary methods including cellular and molecular biology (immunoblotting, qRT-PCR, immuno-precipitation, molecular cloning, etc.), IHC and IF imaging and quantitation, flow cytometry methods, functional cell-based assays, as well as upcoming state-of-the-art functional genomics and next generation sequencing methods (i.e. ChIP-seq, CUT-and-RUN (or TAG), ATAC-seq, scRNA-seq, etc). The candidate should be highly motivated and enrolled as a graduate student in MUSC’s College of Graduate Studies with a solid background and skills in molecular/cell biology and biochemistry.

Job Duties:

30% - Collaborates with the PI and other lab members involved to execute experiments using state-of-the-art human cell line and patient-derived xenograft models of Ewing sarcoma growth, development, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. These duties include, but are not limited to, mammalian tissue culture (including cancer or induced pluripotent stem cells), cell-based phenotypic assays including viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays, murine husbandry of patient-derived xenograft-injected immunocompromised mice, flow cytometric analysis, molecular biology techniques (such as immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, molecular cloning, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescent and immunohistochemistry imaging and quantitation), and functional genomic studies (including ChIP-PCR or -seq, RNAseq, CUT-and-RUN/TAG, ATAC-seq, scRNA-seq, or others). Bacterial recombinant DNA work and lentiviral production for in vitro transfection and transduction experiments will be performed. - (Essential)

30% - Collaborates with the PI and other lab members in analyzing data generated from the experiments. Duties include keeping orderly and accurate records on a daily basis, identifying and using appropriate software for analysis of data, collaborating with core directors or managers, such as the Flow Cytometry, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Shared Resources to insure quality of the results, interpreting results and planning new experiments. - (Essential)

30% - Collaborates in preparing manuscripts and grants based on the experimental data generated. Duties include keeping current with the literature, preparing figures based on data collected, writing manuscripts and sections of grants with the PI and senior team members, presenting current work in research in progress seminars, attending departmental seminars and participating in journal clubs. - (Essential)

10% - Helps with laboratory maintenance, such as ordering, cleanup of lab areas and lab glassware, preparing and maintaining laboratory experimental reagents and stock solutions, equipment maintenance, helping to prepare IACUC protocols and amendments when appropriate. - (Essential).

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. (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.

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