Research Laboratory Associate - 135488

Under general supervision, the research associate will be responsible for performing experiments using biological materials (e.g., primary cells, stem cells, cell lines, mammalian tissue samples), carrying out tasks required for general biological laboratory maintenance, storage, organization, and analysis of data using basic computer programs. Responsible for overseeing the breeding and utilization of all the mice in the lab mouse colony as well as independently performing mouse surgeries. Laboratory tasks include preparation of reagents/solutions and assistance with immunohistochemistry protocols. The position also requires ensuring compliance with facility safety and regulatory procedures. Incumbent will plan, design and performing scientific analysis of research projects including writing analysis plans and reports. Will identify and perform appropriate analyses methods and approaches for skin research, melanocyte and melanoma biology, and service projects. Will assist the PI in the development and modification of research designs for studies in melanoma development. Responsibilities include assisting in writing manuscripts, writing and submitting IRB applications and progress reports to funding agencies such as NIH, focusing primarily on analysis, methods and results sections. Will also assist graduate students and others in their scientific analysis.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining lab safety protocols, analysis of bioinformatics data, and training of new postdoctoral fellows or graduate students. The research associate will be responsible for keeping a record of all safety protocols, interface with UCSD's Environmental Health and Safety personnel to ensure compliance and train all new students in the lab about safety requirements. For the analysis of bioinformatics data, the research associate make innovative contribution pertaining to design experiments to understand the genome-wide binding of transcription factors and analyze the transcriptomes of cells with knockdowns of specific genes. For the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the associate will train the students in techniques such as 3D organotypic cultures, animal work, viral transductions, and tissue culture work.

• Strong theoretical knowledge of skin biology, cancer biology, immunology, and cell biology.

• Demonstrated experience with techniques with primary melanocytes.

• Demonstrated experience with techniques to make in vitro 3D skin tissue.

• Demonstrated experience with techniques for protein expression and purification.

• Demonstrated knowledge of basic genetics, mouse physiology, mouse reproduction, and mouse biology.

• Demonstrated experience performing scientific analysis and design of research projects.

• Demonstrated experience performing surgical procedures on small lab animals. Demonstrated knowledge of sterile techniques.

• Demonstrated experience with mouse colony management.

• Demonstrated experience with data analysis using basic calculations and Excel software.

• Demonstrated experience with PCR/QPCR.

• Demonstrated skill in accurate record keeping and ability to organize analyze and calculate data.

• Demonstrated experience with basic cell culture techniques.

• Demonstrated experience and skills with all facets of the lab to provide effective training.

• Demonstrated skill in performing metabolomics analysis.

• Demonstrated skill in performing RNA-Sequencing.

• Demonstrated experience making independent innovative contribution pertaining to design and analysis of experiments.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• Willingness to work with animals including rodents, mice and rats.

• Ability to work safely with biohazards materials.