Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF: Junior Specialist

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• At least one year of hands-on experience working in an academic or industry laboratory.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology techniques, and biochemical assays.
• Familiarity with mouse models, including handling, breeding, genotyping, and maintenance.
• Ability to follow troubleshoot multistep experimental protocols to generate reliable data.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in teams.
• Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and contribute to ongoing research projects.
• Ability to contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation.

Performing laboratory experiments (50%)

• Set up and perform novel experiments and molecular-cellular techniques necessary for research projects of the lab such as molecular cloning, DNA/RNA isolation, stem cell differentiation, transfection, lenti- or adeno-associated virus infection of cells, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, cell imaging (live and fixed/stained), cell-based luciferase assays, genomic profiling assays including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and ChIP-Seq, and DNA-protein binding assays including EMSA.
• Animal experiments could include mouse heart dissection, mouse cardiomyocyte isolation, mouse surgery to implant transmitters, tissue processing and handling of biological specimen for histological studies including: fixation (small and large tissue, and cultured cells), embedding (paraffin, plastic and frozen), sectioning (paraffin, plastic and frozen), and histological staining with antibodies.
• Perform microscopy (conventional immunofluorescence, confocal, and light sheet) of fixed cells, tissue sections, mouse embryos, and mouse hearts.
• Perform basic molecular and biochemical assays for RNA/DNA detection using PCR, RT-PCR and Western Blotting, isolation of RNA/DNA, and protein from cells and animal tissue, ELISA, and cloning.

Physiological, Imaging, Sequencing Data Analysis, and Writing (30%)

• Define electrocardiographic intervals, identify arrhythmias from EKG data, and perform higher-order analysis including heart rate variability and power spectra.
• Perform 3D reconstruction and quantification of microscopy images including those from whole mount light sheet microscopy as well as confocal microscopy of tissue sections.
• Prepare figures and manuscripts for publication or presentation at meetings.

Lab management (20%)

• Aid in completing all personnel training and certifications, coordinating lab inspections (e.g. OS&H, IACUC), and renewals, modifications, and new applications of IACUC/OS&H protocols.
• Maintain a mouse colony and assist others as needed.
• Perform lab maintenance tasks along with others in the lab at the direction of the lab manager.

Pay

A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$58,600.