Research Specialist I - Department of Neuroscience The C. Schmidt lab at the Neuroscience Department of MUSC is seeking a talented, motivated and detail-oriented research specialist to join our new lab and the Hollings Cancer Center. We are looking for an individual with experience in neuroscience or cancer biology who is looking for a long-term opportunity to lead research in our lab studying the early development of the brain and its susceptibility to cancer growth. This is an ideal position to gain experience in both basic science and translational research and suited for those who have a desire to pursue an advanced degree in biological sciences or medicine. The Schmidt lab studies the developmental origin of pediatric brain cancers using a variety of molecular and stem cell biology techniques, including genetic editing via lentiviral infection or CRISPR/Cas9 systems, RNA/ATAC/CUT&RUN sequencing, human induced-pluripotent stem cell and human neural stem cell cultures, human brain organoid cultures and mouse intracranial injections. Experience in all of these techniques is not required, but enthusiasm for research and learning new skills should be present. For more details on the Schmidt Lab research please visit our lab website: As a new lab, this is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in learning the full process of lab setup and conducting cutting-edge research. It is especially suited for those seeking personal growth and vigorous training in a nurturing environment. This position is vital for lab operations, experimental assistance, and contributions to neuroscience and cancer research. The ideal individual for this position will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated person with a degree in a STEM-related discipline and basic knowledge of biomedical research techniques and neuroscience fundamentals. Training will be provided in all aspects of the work. This position start date would be as early as November 2026.
Job Duties:
30% - Tissue Culture Work – Maintain and use stem cell lines and primary cell cultures for experimental purposes, this includes and is not limited to human iPS cells, neuronal stem cell cultures, human tumor cell lines, standard fibroblast cultures (HEK 293T) and brain organoid cultures. Experimental tissue culture work includes, proliferation or cell/death assays, drug treatments, transfections, lentivirus production and viral transductions (BSL2 work). It is also the responsibility of the research specialist to maintain a clean environment in the tissue culture room, upkeep inventory including reagent stocks and aliquots, and oversea equipment maintenance.30% - Wet Lab Procedures – Molecular biology techniques, particularly cloning targeting constructs and CRISPR/Cas9, RNA and protein isolation, qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining and microscopy, cryosectioning of cryo-frozen tissue blocks, flow cytometry, handling plasmids and bacteria, preparing lab reagents, analyzing data for scientific reports.25% - General Lab Maintenance and Organization – maintain laboratory supplies and consumables, perform routine cleaning of laboratory and tissue culture space, clean glassware and autoclave glassware and plastics, ensure safety and compliance guidelines, introduce new lab members to the lab space and work. Assist the principal investigator in establishing an efficient lab, foster science and training.15% - Animal Husbandry and surgical procedures in mice – carry out intracranial injections of neural stem cells and tumor cells including but not limited to tumor growth studies, therapeutic intervention of tumor growth. Perform bioluminescence imaging, therapeutic treatment of mice, dissection of tumors and other tissue.
Minimum Qualifications:- 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
- Knowledge and/or experience with basic cell and molecular biology protocols
- Ability to learn more advanced wet lab techniques (genetic editing, flow cytometry, cryosectioning, sequencing library preparation)
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team
- Additional Knowledge:
- Experience with culturing mammalian cells, human pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, or organoids
- Experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, such as molecular cloning, qRT-PCR, shRNA/siRNA gene knockdown, immunoblotting/immunofluorescence imaging
- Previous experience working with mice
- Genome editing (e.g. CRISRP/Cas9) experience
