DESCRIPTION

The Department of Medicine (DOM) is the largest department within the UCSD School of Medicine and is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. The department employs approximately 500 salaried faculty, 168 academic appointees, 331 residents, fellow and postdocs and 479 staff personnel.

Under general 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 providing significant independent contributions to research design and execution. Incumbent will work in the clinical trial setting to consent patients for research protocol/sample collection. Incumbent will independently perform in vivo and in vitro assays, train new lab members, plan experiments, analyze data, and contribute to scientific papers. Incumbent will manage a large and complex mouse colony inventory and independently perform experiments making 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, monitoring lab expenditures/grant spending, and oversee the maintenance and /organizing of laboratory stocks and ordering supplies. Incumbent will assist in data preparation and drafting of manuscripts including author or co-authoring scientific articles and significant portions of grant writing. Incumbent will serve as the laboratory safety officer to ensure that safe work practices are followed as dictated by EH&S guidelines. Other duties assigned as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced theoretical knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry or related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education with the ability to make advanced contributions to research projects at a conceptual level.

• Experience reviewing clinical protocols to propose formal consent from patients for blood, bone marrow or BM aspirate sample donation. Experience working in a clinical setting.

• Demonstrated 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.

• Proven experience with all aspects of tissue culture including freezing, thawing, counting cells and splitting cultures.

• Demonstrated experience as a scientific leader. Experience with independently conceptualizing a project, designing protocols, planning for milestones, and preparing results for publication.

• Proven 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.

• Demonstrated 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.

• Advanced experience working with human tissues; tissue trimming, histology analysis, and knowledge in necropsy.

• Experience with 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.

• Demonstrated experience working in and maintaining a sterile environment.

• Proven experience in the design, construction, production, purification, and use of viral gene transfer vectors as well as CLIP and site directed mutagenesis.

• Proven 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 oversee 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.

• Strong project management skills and demonstrated problem solving skills. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.

• Demonstrated experience reading and using Material Safety Data Sheets. Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines.

• Knowledge of UCSD Environmental Health and Safety requirements including the ability to write with correct syntax and grammar and to clearly communicate ideas and protocols in writing to EH&S.

• 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 experience in writing/editing and submitting manuscripts for publications and scientific journals and research proposals.

• Demonstrated experience working with the patent office for patent submissions.

• Demonstrated experience or excellent skills in writing, developing logical arguments, proofreading, editing publications for scientific journals material.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

• Master's degree preferred.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends when necessary.

• Must be willing to work with small animals.

• Must be willing to work with biohazardous and hazardous materials.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to travel. Majority of time will be spent at Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive La Jolla, CA 92037, but occasionally may need to travel to Moores Cancer Center 3855 Health Sciences Drive La Jolla, CA 92093.