MUSC College of Health Professions Hiring for UNIV – Research Specialist I – Department of Neurosurgery at Charleston, SC Full Time

Job Description Summary

MUSC’s Department of Neurosurgery is hiring a Research Specialist I for the coordination of the “SCI Infrastructure Core Special Initiative,” a five-year grant project funded by the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Reserve Fund.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC – Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC000986 COM NSGY General 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

General Nature of Work:

The successful candidate must be highly organized and provide research expertise. The candidate will be responsible for assisting in the conduct of animal research studies with a focus on spinal cord injury procedures. Specifically, the candidate will be responsible for assisting with experiments and data collection. The candidate will work closely with research investigators and research staff. This includes the ability to understand and be able to use monitoring equipment and perform behavioral studies.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• 25%: Assist with experimental data collections involving complex spinal cord injury procedures, including the collection of behavioral data. Collects samples, performs sample analyses, and extracts measurement data from experiments.
• 25%: Manage and oversee basic science animal lab events from inception through completion to ensure IACUC and regulatory compliance. Coordinate animal and human tissue collection and distribution among several laboratories involved in interdisciplinary research projects with the VA and MUSC. Obtains consents from patients at the MUSC and VA clinics and hospital.
• 25%: Procure, supervise the use of, and prepare animals for experiments done in the Animal laboratory.
• 15%: Procure, supervise the use of, and prepare animals for experiments done in the Animal laboratory. Design and assist in the design of experimental research protocols to assist investigators in their research studies.
• 10%: Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science and experience with animal injury models required.
• Fundamental background in spinal cord injury procedures is desirable.
• Knowledge and application of anesthesia. Knowledge of surgical monitoring and animal behavior.

Licensure, Certifications, And Registrations

• No prerequisite licensure or certifications required

Additional Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Preferred

• Proficiency with computers and experience with spreadsheet, statistical, and graphical software are also preferred.
• Weekend, holiday, and evening work as required for experiments.

Degree Of Supervision

This position will work under direct supervision of the SCI Infrastructure Core Special Initiative PI, which will require numerous meetings on weekly and ad hoc bases. The Research Specialist I will primarily work in MUSC’s Clinical Sciences Building, with an expectation to attend meetings and other project-related activities as necessary.

Physical Requirements

Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting items/packages, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Requires occasional lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Requires some exposure to communicable diseases and body fluids. Requires frequent bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, and pulling. Freedom from mental disorders, which would interfere with performance of duties. Speaking ability sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person or over the telephone. Must be able to communicate effectively in writing. Ability to operate patient care equipment.

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