Cancer Research Associate - Medicine
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
The Department of Medicine is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California, San Diego and employs 486+ full-time salaried faculty members and 100+ academic appointees. Staff personnel include 600+ staff in 9 bargaining units, students, and volunteers. There are 250 clinical faculty practicing at multiple sites and hospitals. Under supervision, the Research Associate will work in a translational hematology lab studying hematological malignancies. The incumbent will work with a variety of human blood and bone marrow samples and established human cell lines to study the onset, progression, and treatment of hematological malignancies. Incumbent will independently perform in vivo and in vitro assays, train new lab members, plan experiments, analyze data, and assist with contributing to scientific papers as needed. Incumbent will manage a large and complex mouse colony inventory and independently perform experiments assisting with technical determinations and observations related to research projects and design. Incumbent will keep detailed records of all aspects of experimental data. Incumbent will be responsible for laboratory management including the purchasing and maintenance of lab equipment, assist with monitoring lab expenditures/grant spending, and maintaining/organizing laboratory stocks and ordering supplies. Incumbent will assist in data preparation and drafting of manuscripts as needed. Incumbent will serve as the laboratory safety officer to ensure that safe work practices are followed as dictated by EH&S guidelines.
Qualifications
Theoretical knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with all aspects of tissue culture including freezing, thawing, counting cells and splitting cultures. Demonstrated skill in the operation and maintenance of various lab equipment such as confocal and quantitative fluorescent microscopes, centrifuges, nanodrop, IVIS imaging machine, and flow cytometer. Experience with standard repetitive techniques that may be required in research protocols related to a specific lab. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and apply protocols in conducting research. Demonstrated ability in following step wise experimental protocols. Skill to troubleshoot adaptations of experimental protocols. Experience in caring for and handling small lab animals (mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits) and in administering medications and anesthesia to perform phlebotomy and minor surgical procedures on animals. Experience in Euthanizing small laboratory animals. Familiarity with the writing of Animal Subjects protocols and with the surgical procedures. Willingness and ability to work with rodents and/or other lab animals and/or infected samples. Demonstrated experience working with human tissues; tissue trimming, histology analysis, and knowledge in necropsy. Demonstrated experience reading and using Material Safety Data Sheets. Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines. Demonstrated experience working in and maintaining a sterile environment. Demonstrated skill in accurate record keeping and ability to organize, analyze, and calculate data. Knowledge in basic math for maintaining ledgers, income and expenditure reports. Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as Access, MS Word and Excel. Knowledge to work with and learn new software for analysis. Manual dexterity and legible handwriting. Ability to assist with general lab maintenance, including cleaning and restocking supplies and managing a regular schedule in the lab. Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment, as well as effectively and accurately document research procedures. Ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials. Enthusiasm for learning new techniques and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles. Ability to train students on same. Good organizational and time management skills. Knowledge sufficient to coordinate studies with other departments and the lab. Skill to plan and organize work assignments in an efficient and productive manner. Demonstrated ability to assist in the writing of papers for publication, research proposals. Experience with processing and ficolling patient peripheral blood and bone marrow in order to perform cryogenic database management. Scientific knowledge of DNA plasmids and primers. Theoretical knowledge of normal and malignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell biology sufficient to aid in the design and interpretation of experiments on those topics.