UNIV - Post Doctoral Scholar - Pharmacology & Immunology

Medical University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mallah Laboratory at MUSC is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to support neuroimmunology-related research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mouse models. You will design experiments, perform surgical and behavioral studies, and generate high-quality data for publications and grants.

You will work closely with the PI and team, develop methods, analyze results, and contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, and grant proposals while maintaining rigorous documentation and collaborating

Qualifications

• PhD in biology (neuroscience, neuroimmunology, or immunology preferred).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on multiple projects.
• Experience with immunofluorescence and microscopy, flow cytometry, and small animal behavioral assays.
• Surgical experience in rodents, including traumatic brain injury models or cranial procedures.

Responsibilities

• Animal procedures and behavioral studies (35%): perform TBI models, behavioral assays, data analysis.
• Wet lab procedures (35%): immunofluorescence, IHC, microscopy, flow cytometry, cryosectioning, reagent prep, equipment upkeep.
• Scientific communication (20%): draft manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports, and help prepare grant proposals.
• General lab support (10%): training new members, meetings, documentation, and maintaining a clean, compliant environment.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Project management

Data analysis

Education

PhD in biology

Tools

Immunofluorescence

Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy

Flow cytometry

Cryosectioning

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Mallah Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join the lab and support ongoing neuroimmunology-related research. The laboratory investigates immune activation and neuroimmune interactions following traumatic brain injury (TBI) using experimental mouse models in combination with microscopy, cellular and molecular immune profiling, and behavioral analyses. The postdoc will contribute to funded projects in the lab and will be responsible for advancing research progress through experimental design, execution of studies, troubleshooting, and data analysis. The individual will work closely with the Principal Investigator and other laboratory members to advance multiple projects and generate high-quality data for publications and grant-supported research.

Employment Details

Pay Rate Type Salary Pay Grade University-00 Pay Range 0.00 - 0.00

Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Work Shift

Job Description Duties / Responsibilities

Animal procedures and behavioral studies (35%)

Execute research activities in support of assigned projects, with a primary focus on animal procedures and behavioral experimentation. Responsibilities include performing surgical procedures, such as traumatic brain injury models, conducting behavioral assays, analyzing experimental data, maintaining animal colonies, and harvesting tissues for downstream analyses.

Wet lab procedures and laboratory operations (35%)

Conduct wet lab procedures of assigned research projects. Duties include, but are not limited to, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining, microscopy, flow cytometry, cryosectioning of tissue, and analysis of the obtained experimental results using dedicated software. Additional responsibilities include preparing laboratory reagents, managing inventory of reagents and aliquots, and overseeing equipment maintenance in collaboration with Research Specialists in the Mallah Lab.

Scientific communication and reporting (20%)

Prepare initial drafts of manuscripts, abstracts, and progress reports, including publication-quality figures, detailed methods, and draft sections of introductions, results, and discussions. Develop posters and other presentation materials for scientific meetings. Maintain current knowledge of relevant scientific literature to support ongoing and future research efforts. The candidate will be expected to apply for intra- and extramural funding at all stages of their career and assist the PI with grant proposals for the laboratory.

General laboratory support and organization (10%)

Provide support for related projects within the lab and assist other personnel as needed. Responsibilities include training new and visiting lab members on standard protocols and procedures, participating in lab meetings and project-specific meetings, maintaining accurate and organized documentation of records such as budgets, purchases, and laboratory notebooks. The individual will assist the principal investigator in fostering a clean, collaborative, compliant, and efficient research environment.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

A PhD degree in biology (preferably in fields of neuroscience, neuroimmunology, or immunology).

Preferred Experience and Training Requirements

Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team. Can manage projects of moderate size with PI input. Experience in immunofluorescence and microscopy, flow cytometry, and small animal behavioral assays. Surgical experience in rodents, preferably including traumatic brain injury models or other cranial procedures.

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. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent)
• Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent)
• Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)
• Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent)
• Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
• Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)
• Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous)
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous)
• Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous)
• Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous)
• Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous)
• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous)
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous)
• Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent)
• Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent)
• Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent)
• Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent)
• Ability to lift and carry objects up to 15 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent)
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous)
• Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous)
• Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous)
• Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous)
• Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous)
• Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous)
• Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)
• Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually.
• Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent)
• Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.

E-Verify

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

Additional Information

Thank you for wanting to be part of the Medical University of South Carolina team. Whether you want to teach the next generation of health care leaders, innovate new business models, discover the next breakthrough or provide patient care, there's a role for you that fuels your passion and takes advantage of your skills. There are career opportunities available in academics, research, hospital medicine, physician practices and support services, from patient billing to IT. As an applicant, you can search jobs for all MUSC entities as well as search by category and location. MUSC attracts more than $250 million annually in research funding, making it the biggest magnet for biomedical, extramural research dollars of all institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program aims to advance clinical and translational science to increase the speed at which new treatments become available to patients. MUSC Health, the clinical enterprise, operates a 750 bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of fewer than 70 elite National Cancer Institute designated centers), a Level I Trauma Center and the Institute of Psychiatry. In addition, there are more than 100 outreach clinics, hospital/health system affiliations, and telehealth sites. U.S. News & World Report placed us among the top one percent of all American hospitals, with 11 specialties in the top 50. The MUSC Medical Center is also one of only three Magnet designated hospitals in South Carolina.