Senior Research Associate, Neurosciences - 140976

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for this role, we strongly encourage you to apply.

About the Role

The Department of Neurosciences is a leading clinical-academic department within the UCSD School of Medicine, comprised of more than 130 faculty members. The Department’s mission is to create synergies and define the ideas and programs that will transform the way our neurosciences community discovers, teaches, and cares for patients. We strive to conduct cutting-edge science and research and train the next generation of neurologists and researchers by fostering education at all levels and integrating the latest scientific and medical advances into the curriculum.

The Senior Research Associate manages and coordinates research efforts with collaborators both within and outside the laboratory. They independently conceive, plan, and conduct research projects based on reviews of scientific literature and recent advances in related fields, organizing and executing all techniques involved. The role contributes novel ideas of major methodological significance to research projects, designs key experiments, and develops new techniques. The Senior Research Associate authors or co-authors scientific journal manuscripts and book chapters, contributes to grant writing, and directs and advises the work of technicians, students, and postdoctoral scholars. They also present findings at lab meetings and conferences and contribute to the regular functioning of the lab, including administrative and maintenance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate research efforts with collaborators within and outside the laboratory.
• Independently conceive, plan, and conduct research projects based on scientific literature and recent advances.
• Contribute novel ideas of major methodological significance to research projects, design key experiments, and develop new techniques.
• Author or co-author scientific journal manuscripts and book chapters; contribute to grant writing.
• Direct and advise the work of technicians, students, and postdoctoral scholars, enabling them to participate in laboratory projects.
• Present findings at lab meetings and conferences.
• Contribute to administrative and maintenance tasks necessary for the regular functioning of the lab.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced theoretical knowledge of virology, typically achieved by an advanced college degree and work experience.
• Advanced skill in experimental design and adaptation of methods to achieve results.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating data from multiple sources to synthesize conclusions.
• Knowledge and ability to read and abstract scientific articles and apply them to the design of experiments.
• Experience in providing technical work direction and training of students, post-docs, and technicians.
• Proven experience in developing hypotheses, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, writing manuscripts, and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals, including interactions with reviewers and editors.
• Demonstrated experience working with collaborators in other universities on joint projects and working under milestone-driven projects, including writing reports.
• Strong organizational skills, including laboratory record-keeping, budget analysis, and managing logistics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety rules.
• Proven experience in contributing and implementing innovative ideas and techniques on complex and multidisciplinary research projects.
• Proven ability to read scientific papers and adapt knowledge and techniques from the literature to experimental systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility to interact effectively with staff, researchers, and management in person, on the phone, or via video conferencing platforms.
• Knowledge of PC software applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Illustrator to produce reports, correspondence, graphs, and spreadsheets, and to generate, track, and analyze data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UCSD regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience with UCSD lab safety protocols.
• Demonstrated experience in the official review of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to work with hazardous materials.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Pay

Annual pay range: $82,140.21 - $88,900.95 (prorated for 70% appointment). The full pay range is $82,140 - $132,198 (prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%). Hourly equivalent: $39.34 - $63.31. Factors in determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

Schedule

• Days, 8-hour shifts, Monday through Friday.
• 70% appointment.