Posting Details

Posting Summary

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Posting Number
STA00505PO26

Job Family
Research

Job Function
Evaluations

USC Market Title
Associate Scientist

Link to USC Market Title
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/140751

Job Level
R1 - Research

Business Title (Internal Title)
Research Scientist

Campus
Columbia

Work County
Richland

College/Division
College of Arts and Sciences

Department
CAS Biological Sciences

State Pay Range
Unclassified

USC Market Range
MRJ - $76,904 $96,130 $115,356

Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary commensurate with qualifications

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time
Full Time

Hours per Week
37.5

Work Schedule

• Standard working schedule: 8:30am - 5:00pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis
12 months

Job Search Category
Other Professional

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The Research Scientist will conduct independent research under the general direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) to advances projects investigating the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. The position is responsible for designing, optimizing, and implementing experimental approaches; analyzing and interpreting experimental data; troubleshooting complex research problems; and developing new methodologies to support ongoing and future research initiatives.
The Research Scientist will oversee daily laboratory operations, maintain specialized research equipment, supervise laboratory personnel, and assist the PI with research planning, resource management, and project coordination. The individual will also contribute to the preparation of manuscripts, grant proposals, progress reports, and scientific presentations while ensuring compliance with institutional polices governing laboratory safety and research integrity.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a terminal degree (PhD or similar) in an area of research specialty and three years of post-graduate job-related experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D (or equivalent terminal degree) in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Neurobiology or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated record of scientific productivity, including peer-review publications.
• Experience mentoring trainees and managing projects in an academic research environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must have knowledge in molecular cellular neurobiology with demonstrated expertise in: mammalian cell culture and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC); molecular biology techniques including DNA cloning, RNA isolation, qPCR, RNA sequencing, and gene expression analyses; protein biochemistry including Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, protein purification and analysis; cellular/tissue imaging and imaging analysis; mouse colony management; experimental design, statistical analysis, data interpretation, and scientific reporting.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Conduct Independent Research: Design, execute, and optimize molecular, cellular, and biochemical experiments to investigate the signaling pathways in neurodegenerative diseases using cellular and mouse models. Independently analyze and interpret experimental findings, troubleshoot technical challenges, and develop experimental strategies that advance the laboratory's research objectives. Prepare research data for publications, grant applications, progress reports, and scientific presentations.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
40

Job Duty

Perform advanced cell culture studies: Establish, maintain and conduct experiments in a variety of cell lines. These include iPSC-derived neurons and glia, rodent primary cell culture of glial cells, and applicable cell lines. This work will be executed independently.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
20

Job Duty

Experimental design, implementation and project development: Duties include designing experiments, maintaining accurate records of experimental procedures, analyzing data, performing statistical analyses, interpreting results, and critically evaluating current scientific literature relevant to ongoing research projects. These activities are essential for the development, management, and advancement of research projects.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
20

Job Duty

Scientific Communication and Research Dissemination: Prepare manuscripts, progress reports, grant-related materials, and present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific conferences, and collaborative meetings to facilitate scientific exchange and dissemination of research discoveries.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
5

Job Duty

Research Supervision and Mentorship: Provide scientific mentorship and technical training to undergraduate students, graduate students, research staff, and postdoctoral fellows. Supervise research activities, promote scientific rigor and reproducibility, ensure compliance with laboratory protocols, and foster the professional development of laboratory personnel.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
5

Job Duty

Institutional training: Participate in training activities (including those required for IACUC, IBC, EHS). This training will take place in small group or classroom settings and is necessary to ensure safety in the laboratory and further the development of the fellow as an independent scientist.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
5

Job Duty

Other duties as assigned: Other essential activities for the good of the laboratory, department and university will be occasionally assigned at the discretion of the PI (and in consultation with employee). These are aimed at ensuring continued research funding to laboratory.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive
No

Hazardous weather category
Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies
1

Desired Start Date
08/16/2026

Job Open Date
07/02/2026

Job Close Date
08/16/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by August 16, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/208927