UNIV - Research Specialist II - Department of Ophthalmology

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

1d

About The Position

The purpose of this Research Specialist position is to study the cellular and molecular basis of retinal health and disease using physiological and biochemical methods. The position requires work with animals and ocular tissue, occasional work in a cramped space and in the dark under dim red light.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and one year work experience directly related to the assigned research area.
• Position requires standing, walking, reaching, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, working with various chemicals, gases, equipment, and lab animals; work in a dark room using dim red or infrared light.
• Ability to perform job functions in an upright position.
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position.
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile.
• Ability to climb, using step stool.
• Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries.
• Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces.
• Ability to bend at the waist.
• Ability to twist at the waist.
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders.
• Ability to fully use both legs.
• Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions.
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction.
• Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted.
• Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted.
• Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted.
• Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted.
• 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.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted.
• Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level.
• Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted.
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements.
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes.
• Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally.
• Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems.
• Ability to hear and/or understand conversations.
• Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc.
• Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural or life science is required.
• A minimum of two (2) year work experience in a research laboratory setting working with ocular retinal tissue is required.
• Experience with animal research strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Prepare reagents, dissect eyes and obtain tissues for physiological and biochemical measurements; carry out measurements on tissues with microscopy, spectrophotometry or mass spectrometry. Carry out measurements on living animals with electroretinography
• Organize and analyze results of measurements with computer software (specialized imaging software, Excel, and other); maintain experimental and animal records
• Plan and design the generation of new experimental animal models and develop the procedures for testing the success of the process
• Maintain equipment and tools used for experiments
• Care and breeding of experimental animals; genotyping of experimental animals (with PCR)
• Supervise and train other lab personnel, including a Research Specialist I and research students

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level