Job Description Summary
A laboratory in the Department of Neurosciences focused on the study of alcohol action on the brain is recruiting a technician to provide support in ongoing studies. The job duties involve the use of biochemical, behavioral, and electrophysiological techniques and in performing routine laboratory procedures.

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
$31,561 - $44,977 - $58,393

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Duties:

-25%-Assist laboratory staff with mouse and rat behavioral studies including those examining ethanol drinking. The technician will prepare drinking solutions, fill bottles and place them on cages during daily drinking sessions. They will also help record bottle weights at the end of the drinking sessions. For operant behavior studies, the technician will place animals in the operant chambers, initiate the protocols and then return the animals to their normal housing rooms once the protocol is finished. They will also enter data into a spreadsheet for analysis.

-20%-Assist laboratory staff with mouse and rat surgery; perform perfusion, tissue slicing and immunohistochemistry. The technician will set up the surgical area and provide sterilized instruments and solutions to be used. At the end of some studies, the technician will validate viral expression and location by collecting brain slices from perfused animals. For some constructs, immunohistochemistry will be performed on brain slices using antibodies that recognize the specific construct.

-15%-Analyze expression of fluorescently tagged constructs in brain slices using epifluorescent microscopy. Following perfusion and preparation of brain slices, the technician will examine expression using an Evos fluorescent microscope and save images for offline analysis.

-15%-Prepare experimental solutions needed for biochemical and electrophysiological studies. The technician will prepare various experimental solutions as needed including artificial cerebrospinal fluid, pipette filling solutions and those needed for immunohistochemistry studies. The technician will ensure that solutions have the proper pH and osmolarity prior to use by research staff.

-15%-Assist laboratory staff in running fiber photometry studies. Attach optical fibers to head-mounted cannulas and run fiber photometry sessions.

-10%-Assist laboratory staff in ordering supplies. Use online ordering system to place and track orders. Maintain inventory of chemicals and supplies and re-order when necessary.

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