#120387 Research Assistant

DESCRIPTION

The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 171 Faculty, 50 post-doctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 300 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 57 clinical residents and fellows distributed across the Divisions. The missions of research, education and patient care are intertwined, and are integral to the goals of the department.

The Department’s 16 divisions include Academic General Pediatrics, Child Development & Community Health; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology; Cardiology; Dysmorphology; Emergency Medicine; Endocrinology; Gastroenterology; Genetics; Genome Information Sciences; Hospital Medicine; Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics; Infectious Diseases; Neonatology; Nephrology; and Respiratory Medicine.

In 2001, physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's, and Children's Specialists of San Diego (CSSD) unified pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs, creating a university-affiliated children's health system to serve the region. Over the past two decades, an extensive list of joint programs has developed, with many physicians and researchers playing a role at both institutions.

This affiliation has consolidated the clinical, teaching, research and public service programs of the UCSD School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics with San Diego's only health care system dedicated to the health and well-being of children. In 2009, this partnership was furthered by the creation of Rady Children’s Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Foundation, and is now recognized as having global leaders in research, technology, translational medicine, education and clinical excellence.

Under supervision, the position will assist with the development of research related to allergy, immunology, and infection. The Research Assistant will be responsible for assisting with laboratory bench experiments related to studies of mouse and human specimens. The incumbent will assist with experiments to understand transcriptional changes and surface immunophenotyping as part of multi-omic analysis of human specimens. Other techniques to investigate inflammatory disease include flow cytometry, CyTOF, live cell microscopy, image analysis, immunoblot, ELISA, and purification of myeloid cells. Performs other duties as assigned. Training will be available for all methods, and work is performed as part of multi-investigator studies in highly collaborative work environments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of a life science or a related field of research such as animal physiology, biology, molecular biology, immunology, or biochemistry.

• Ability to assist with extractions of nucleic acids from blood and biopsy specimens and perform appropriate PCR experiments.

• Experience with culture of primary human cells.

• Excellent computer skills and ability to learn new computer programs. Demonstrated knowledge of Excel, Word, Outlook.

• Ability to perform data entry and basic graphing with statistical analysis. Ability to perform standard laboratory techniques (pipetting, weighing).

• Ability to read, interpret and apply protocols in conducting research. Ability to follow experimental protocols.

• Effective interpersonal skills. Ability to work with a variety of personnel from different laboratories.

• Demonstrated skill in operation and maintenance of various lab equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges, and PCR thermocyclers.

• Interest in understanding the pathogenesis of human disease. Willingness to learn new lab techniques and tasks and share knowledge of such.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment, as well as to effectively document research procedures. Ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials.

• Demonstrated experience using aseptic techniques.

• Track record in required experimental techniques outlined including immunoprecipitation and western blot, and mouse and human myeloid cell culture.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience in mouse models of infection, allergy, inflammation or cancer.

• Demonstrated experience using aseptic techniques.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekend days, as required.

• Must be willing and able to work with animals and biohazardous materials.

Job offer is contingent on successful engagement in the UC COVID-19 Vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral).

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

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UC San Diego Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://www-hr.ucsd.edu/saa/nondiscr.html

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UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.