UNIV - Research Laboratory Manager - Department of Medicine: Division of Hematology Oncology

Job Description Summary

The Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a highly motivated Research Laboratory Manager 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 ex vivo patient-derived tumor models.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in working with bispecific antibodies, flow cytometry (or mass cytometry), T cell biology, immunology, and cancer immunotherapy. This position requires a high level of technical and scientific expertise, particularly in the use of in vitro co-culture models and/or ex vivo patient-derived 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 involves processing patient tumor and blood 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

CC001335 HCC Research & Pilots

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-GEN10

Pay Range

57,700.00 - 80,800.00 - 103,900.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Duties:

30% - 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.

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% - 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.

10% - 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.

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.

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.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• A Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant technical experience as a research associate or equivalent.

• Previous experience working with patient-tumor tissue is ideal, but not essential.

• Previous laboratory management experience and supervising research technicians preferred.

• Previous experience working with bispecific antibodies is essential.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology, microbiology, biochemistry or a closely related field and four years’ relevant experience in a clinical or research laboratory environment; relevant experience includes minimum of one year of experience supervising or managing a research laboratory.”

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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