Junior, Assistant, or Associate Specialist - Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care

The UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care is searching for a Research Specialist (Junior, Assistant, or Associate Rank) to join our research team. Salary and appointment rank will be commensurate with the applicants' experience and training. This position is available immediately. This is a great opportunity for upcoming or recent college graduates, recent Master's graduates, or for recent PhD graduates who are interested in an alternative to a post-doctoral fellowship. Strongly motivated candidates with prior molecular biology research experience and plans for graduate school, medical school, pharmacy school, or dental school are encouraged to apply.

We are seeking a Research Specialist position to work as part of a team to understand factors that control heart development using mouse models in vivo and human pluripotent stem cells.

The individual will conduct experiments under the direct supervision of Dr. Irfan Kathiriya.

Responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Culture and genetically manipulate human induced pluripotent stem (hIPS) cells and perform directed differentiation to cardiomyocytes.
• Design, generate, and validate novel genotyping protocols for engineered mouse genetic alleles and cell lines.
• Assess gene expression by quantitative PCR, bulk RNA-seq, single cell RNA-seq or spatial transcriptomics.
• Perform timed matings and dam dissections to isolate mouse embryos at various stages of development.
• Perform rapid DNA isolation and genotyping of mouse embryos immediately following sample collection.
• Process embryonic and adult tissue for histologic evaluation or immunostaining.
• Isolate embryonic mouse heart tissue and evaluate tissue explants.
• Perform standard molecular biology and biochemistry techniques (including molecular cloning, virus preparation and in vitro/in vivo viral transduction, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation), and microscopy.
• Organize and actively maintain a mouse colony.
• Collaborate with other technical staff to rapidly complete necessary tasks and move research program forward.

Required Qualifications:

• Specialists appointed at the junior rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Bioengineering, or related fields or at least four years of research experience.
• Specialists appointed at the Assistant rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Bioengineering, or related fields or at least 5 years of research experience.
• Specialists appointed at the Associate rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Bioengineering, or related fields or at least 5 - 10 years of research experience.
• Applicants must have obtained the degree requirement for the Specialist rank by the time of hire.
• At least 6 months of practical experience in a research laboratory in either academia or industry settings.
• Knowledge of cell culture, standard molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, and mouse handling.
• Experience with molecular biology software (e.g., SnapGene or MacVector).
• Demonstrated ability to contribute data to ongoing research efforts.
• Excellent writing skills and proficiency in English are required.
• Skills to independently resolving broad problems that may arise in collection or analysis of laboratory data.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of staff.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to successfully work on multiple concurrent projects.
• Highest level of integrity and professionalism in working with patient data in a HIPAA-compliant and ethically responsible manner.
• Ability to effectively manage time.
• Mastery of some skills that require an exceptionally high level of hand-eye coordination (e.g., playing a musical instrument).
• Demonstrated ability to regularly interface with multiple colleagues on a variety of different research programs simultaneously.
• Proven ability to understand research cycles and rapidly perform experiments necessary for manuscripts in revision.
• Interest and proven ability to work closely with other members of the team towards carrying out the broader goals of the laboratory.
• Self-motivated and able to learn quickly.
• Enthusiasm for the practice of science.
• Applicant's materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prefer 1-2 years of practical experience in a research laboratory.
• Prior experience with managing mouse colonies.
• Prior experience with flow cytometry, immunostaining, in situ hybridization, and library preparation for genomics applications.
• Prior experience with R programming, MatLab, python, or equivalent, GraphPad PRISM, Photoshop and Illustrator.

Appointees in the Specialist series will be expected to engage in specialized research, professional activities and do not have teaching responsibilities. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions, and may participate in University and Public Service. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period.

Please apply online with CV, Cover Letter, College Transcript, and Two Reference Letters that reference on your research or science aptitude at: https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF04302.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy found here: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.