Life Science Research Professional 2 (1 Year Fixed-Term)

About the role

The Life Science Research Professional 2 position supports research activities across the laboratories of Dr. Christopher Garcia and Dr. Anusha Kalbasi at Stanford University. The Garcia lab focuses on structural biology, receptor signaling, protein engineering, and immunology, while the Kalbasi lab specializes in cancer immunology and engineered immune therapies.

Responsibilities

• Execute in vivo mouse tumor models, including tumor implantation, adoptive transfer of engineered T cells, and treatment studies.
• Manage and maintain the laboratory mouse colony, coordinating breeding strategies, performing genotyping, and ensuring timely availability of appropriate animals for experiments.
• Support cellular immunology workflows, including isolation, activation, and culture of primary immune cells, lentiviral transduction, and functional assays.
• Manage and execute in vitro workflows, including but not limited to flow cytometry (multicolor panels, intracellular staining) and primary immune cell culture.
• Contribute to data organization, basic analysis, and documentation of experimental results.
• Support laboratory operations related to animal protocols (APLAC/IACUC), biosafety compliance, and training of lab members in mouse handling and in vivo procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific field and at least 3 years of relevant research experience.
• Experience with murine tumor models and adoptive cell therapy, including tumor implantation, T cell transfer, and in vivo treatment studies.
• Familiarity with animal research compliance requirements (e.g., APLAC/IACUC).
• Experience with flow cytometry (multicolor panels, intracellular staining, phospho-flow) and analysis of immune cell phenotypes and function.
• Experience with primary immune cell culture, including T cell isolation, activation, transduction (e.g., lentiviral), and expansion.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent in vivo and in vitro workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including interaction with core facilities, collaborators, and vendors.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related scientific field preferred.
• Experience with T cell immunology, including in vitro and in vivo analysis of CAR/TCR function and cytokine signaling pathways.
• Experience with murine tumor models and adoptive cell therapy, including tumor implantation, T cell transfer, and in vivo treatment studies.
• Familiarity with animal research compliance requirements (e.g., APLAC/IACUC).
• Experience with flow cytometry (multicolor panels, intracellular staining, phospho-flow) and analysis of immune cell phenotypes and function.
• Experience with primary immune cell culture, including T cell isolation, activation, transduction (e.g., lentiviral), and expansion.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent in vivo and in vitro workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including interaction with core facilities, collaborators, and vendors.

Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of scientific principles.
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.
• Ability to maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance is essential.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific field and at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Master’s degree in a related scientific field preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing over 40 pounds.
• Sometimes sit, kneel, crawl, reach and work above shoulders, sort and file paperwork or parts.
• Rarely climb, scrub, sweep, mop, chop and mix or operate hand and foot controls.

Additional Information

The ideal candidate will have a background in immunology, cell biology, or a related field, with experience in mouse models and basic molecular and cellular techniques. The individual should be highly organized, capable of managing multiple concurrent experiments, and comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment. This role requires coordination with trainees and staff across both laboratories to ensure efficient execution of experiments and alignment with project timelines. The individual will also contribute to data organization, basic analysis, and documentation of experimental results. Additional responsibilities include supporting laboratory operations related to animal protocols (APLAC/IACUC), biosafety compliance, and training of lab members in mouse handling and in vivo procedures.

This position is well suited for a research professional who enjoys hands-on experimental work and playing a central role in enabling in vivo research across multiple projects. The position reports to the Principal Investigators and works closely with lab managers and institutional support staff. The expected pay range for this position is $85,376 to $99,581 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University's research mission.