Staff Research Associate I (80% Limited)

The Department of Medicine is hiring a Staff Research Associate I within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UCLA. This NIH-funded research program focuses on lung injury, infection, and inflammation, with an emphasis on understanding how innate immune responses-such as the complement system, influence the severity of injury at mucosal surfaces, including the lung.

The Staff Research Associate I will conduct immunology and cell/molecular biology experiments, manage a mouse colony to support experimental planning, maintain accurate laboratory records, and collaborate closely with other members of the research team. Responsibilities include handling mice, performing laboratory experiments, and working with human biospecimens.

Additional duties include laboratory and mouse colony maintenance; maintaining detailed documentation and laboratory notebooks; placing and receiving orders; maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies; ensuring a clean, safe, and well-organized lab environment; and adhering to all safety and procedural regulations. The incumbent will also assist with training and mentoring students in laboratory research.

*This is an 80% part-time limited opportunity which may convert to career*

Hourly range: $27.85-$33.21

Required:

• Knowledge of basic genetics, immunology, and biochemical principles.
• Ability to use basic laboratory equipment, including centrifuge, pH meter, PCR, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to calculate concentrations of solutions as necessary.
• Ability to carefully handle mice according to ARC guidelines.
• Familiarity with techniques including Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA.
• Ability to create and maintain records accurately.
• Ability to organize raw data into a comprehensible form.
• Ability to maintain laboratory readiness for future experiments.
• Demonstrated computer skills including knowledge of MS Excel, MS Word and MS Powerpoint.
• Ability to communicate effectively to convey experimental results.
• Demonstrate previous experience teaching and training students in laboratory research.
• Aptitude and willingness to learn and execute in vivo work in murine models of lung injury.
• Aptitude and willingness to take responsibility for maintaining records and taking initiative on experimental plans in the laboratory.
• Willingness to work with human biospecimens with adequate safety precautions
• Ability to prioritize and organize projects through multiple phases. Ability to meet deadlines and follow through on multiple tasks simultaneously with careful attention to detail, accuracy, completeness and thoroughness.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive material with discretion, tact, sensitivity and diplomacy.

Preferred:

• B.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field.