Research Specialist (Dr. Asgharzadeh's Lab)

About the role

Join a team that's shaping the future of pediatric care. Children's Hospital Los Angeles is consistently ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation, delivering world-class care through more than 350 specialized programs and services. Here, world-class experts in medicine, research, and education work together to deliver family-centered care to more than 155,000 patients each year. At CHLA, your work will help build brighter tomorrows for the children and families we serve.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory Research & Experimental Execution
  • Design, plan, and perform complex laboratory experiments independently or under faculty guidance.
  • Conduct in vitro studies including cell culture, immune assays, molecular biology, and flow cytometry.
  • Perform and support in vivo murine studies, including tumor implantation, treatment administration, tissue harvesting, and sample analysis.
  • Maintain detailed experimental records and ensure reproducibility and compliance with institutional standards.
  • Assist in data analysis, figure preparation, and protocol optimization.
• Laboratory Leadership & Operations
  • Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, including inventory, reagent procurement, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance.
  • Ensure adherence to IACUC, IRB, biosafety, and institutional research policies.
  • Coordinate multiple concurrent research projects and timelines.
  • Train and supervise students, research assistants, and junior personnel as needed.
  • Serve as point of contact for core facilities and institutional research support offices.
• Clinical Research & Biorepository Support
  • Recruit research subjects for the tumor specimen repository and related translational studies.
  • Obtain and document informed consent from patients and families in accordance with IRB protocols.
  • Coordinate specimen collection (blood, bone marrow, tumor samples) with clinical teams.
  • Maintain regulatory documentation and support audits as required.
  • Provide backup coverage for clinical sample processing during high-volume periods.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or related biomedical field.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated Experience Or Willingness To Learn

• Mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques
• Flow cytometry and immunologic assays
• In vivo murine models
• Experience obtaining informed consent and interacting with patients/families in a clinical research setting

Pay

USD $71,760.00