Cancer Research Associate - Medicine - 140716

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Cancer Research Associate to work in a translational hematology lab studying hematological malignancies. This position involves working with human blood and bone marrow samples, established human cell lines, and managing a complex mouse colony.

About the Role

The Research Associate will perform in vivo and in vitro assays, train new lab members, plan experiments, analyze data, and contribute to scientific papers. Responsibilities include laboratory management, purchasing and maintaining lab equipment, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring laboratory safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform in vivo and in vitro assays related to hematological malignancies.
• Train new lab members and plan experiments.
• Analyze data and assist with drafting scientific papers.
• Manage a large and complex mouse colony inventory.
• Perform experiments assisting with technical determinations and observations.
• Maintain detailed records of experimental data.
• Oversee laboratory management, including purchasing and maintaining lab equipment.
• Monitor lab expenditures and grant spending.
• Maintain and organize laboratory stocks and order supplies.
• Assist in data preparation and drafting of manuscripts.
• Serve as the laboratory safety officer to ensure compliance with EH&S guidelines.
• Care for and handle small lab animals (mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits), including administering medications, anesthesia, phlebotomy, and minor surgical procedures.
• Perform euthanasia of small laboratory animals.
• Work with human tissues, including tissue trimming, histology analysis, and necropsy.
• Follow established safety and biohazardous material guidelines.
• Maintain a sterile environment.
• Keep accurate records, organize, analyze, and calculate data.
• Assist with general lab maintenance, including cleaning and restocking supplies.
• Communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Train students on lab techniques and research methods.
• Coordinate studies with other departments.
• Process and ficoll patient peripheral blood and bone marrow for cryogenic database management.

Requirements

• Theoretical knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry, typically attained by a Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with all aspects of tissue culture, including freezing, thawing, counting cells, and splitting cultures.
• Demonstrated skill in operating and maintaining lab equipment such as confocal and quantitative fluorescent microscopes, centrifuges, nanodrop, IVIS imaging machine, and flow cytometer.
• Experience with standard repetitive techniques required in research protocols.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply protocols in conducting research.
• Experience in caring for and handling small lab animals and performing minor surgical procedures.
• Experience in euthanizing small laboratory animals.
• Familiarity with writing Animal Subjects protocols and surgical procedures.
• Willingness and ability to work with rodents, other lab animals, and infected samples.
• Experience working with human tissues and knowledge of necropsy.
• Experience reading and using Material Safety Data Sheets.
• Ability to follow established safety and biohazardous material guidelines.
• Experience working in and maintaining a sterile environment.
• Skill in accurate record keeping and data organization, analysis, and calculation.
• Knowledge of basic math for maintaining ledgers and income/expenditure reports.
• Experience with personal computers and software applications such as Access, MS Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn new software for analysis.
• Manual dexterity and legible handwriting.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
• Enthusiasm for learning new techniques and a genuine interest in scientific research.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to assist in writing papers for publication and research proposals.
• Scientific knowledge of DNA plasmids and primers.
• Theoretical knowledge of normal and malignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell biology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in designing, constructing, producing, purifying, and using viral gene transfer vectors, including adenoviral, lentiviral, and retroviral vectors.
• Knowledge of UCSD Environmental Health and Safety requirements, including writing protocols clearly and correctly.

Special Conditions

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical for those working in clinical settings or with patients.
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Must be willing to work with small animals, biohazardous, and hazardous materials.
• Must be willing to travel between work locations, primarily at Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine and occasionally at Moores Cancer Center.

Pay

Annual Full Pay Range: $68,466 - $110,142 (prorated if appointment percentage is less than 100%). Hourly Equivalent: $32.79 - $52.75. Factors determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs.

Schedule

Full-time, 100% appointment. Work schedule: Days, 8 hours/day, Monday-Friday.