Staff Research Associate II – 119256

This is a UC San Diego Internal Recruitment open to UCSD and UCSD Health Staff Only.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/13/2022 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 10/17/2022. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This position will remain open until a successful candidate has been identified.

The UCSD Department of Pharmacology is one of two basic science units in the School of Medicine where world-class researchers investigate the effects of chemical interventions on biological systems. The faculty are internationally renowned for their strength in elucidating basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of signal transduction that lead to innovative drug target identification and ultimately to cutting edge drug discovery. The faculty also play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines, and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars. More than one hundred trainees at the graduate student and postdoctoral level, as well as a staff of more than 50 research technicians and department administrators interact closely with the faculty. The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically-advanced and interested individuals to become a part of our dynamic exploratory research and educational environment. For more information, please visit our website at http://pharmacology.ucsd.edu.

Under the supervision of the PI and senior laboratory members, assist in and perform a variety of experiments, without the need for detailed technical supervision, including molecular and cell biological techniques, and pharmacological approaches. Modify or adapt standard procedures to meet the needs of research projects or improve tests that are unsatisfactory, provide analysis and suggestions to alter conditions under which the studies are conducted. Perform in vivo procedures in mice, including plasma/serum collection, necropsies, and tissue collection, to evaluate therapeutic candidates for pancreatic cancer. Perform histological analyses and extraction of RNA for analyses of gene expression and of plasma/serum and pancreatic tumor tissue levels of pharmacological agents. Responsible for the maintenance and handling of mice and rats in compliance with UCSD/policy/procedures in relation to animal subjects and environmental health and safety (EH&S). Oversight of casual employees involved in maintenance and animal care activities will occur as needed. Productive interaction with faculty, postdoctoral scholars, students and staff to provide training in the use and safety-related aspects of laboratory equipment and procedures.

• Theoretical knowledge in chemistry, biochemistry or biology, typically attained with a Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Experience with basic laboratory procedures and equipment, including sterile techniques, preparation of buffers, cell culture, radioactivity, and assays for membrane receptors and second messengers.

• Experience with a board range of standard molecular and mammalian cellular biology techniques and mammalian cell culture.

• Experience with molecular biological and biochemical techniques, pharmacological, cell-biological and bioinformatic approaches including RNA & DNA handling, PCR, ELISA, FACS, etc.

• Experience with preparing chemical solutions.

• Experience working with animals/in vivo models, including in the conduct of in vivo experiments that involve pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and efficacy studies.

• Experience with mice and rats including handling, breeding and knowledge of performing surgeries and other in-vivo experimental techniques; including plasma/serum collection, necropsies, and tissue collection.

• Experience with writing protocols, especially for animal use protocols and other safety authorizations from IACUC, EH&S and others.

• Experience with pharmacological principles, assays and analyses, including as related to concentration-responses, agonism and antagonism, and mechanisms of action of drugs, in particular drugs that act at G protein-coupled receptors.

• Manual dexterity for pipeting and animal handling.

• Experience with and skill in using computers (Excel, Graphpad, Prizim).

• Ability to work well with others; take instructions and explain protocols to others. Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively with minimal supervision.

• Ability to follow basic research protocols and follow instructions closely.

• Ability to take initiative, communicate with colleagues and superiors, including proactively asking questions and notification of problems.

• Ability to maintain careful, legible and well-organized laboratory notes.

• Attention to protocol and details.

• Ability to learn and understand UC ordering procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to read and use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and knowledge of UCSD Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Knowledge of general laboratory safety, radiation safety and biosafety techniques and practices.

• Ability to learn and understand UCSD hiring policies, ability to provide work direction, hire and train part-time student workers.

• Experience with G-protein-coupled signaling pathway components.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends, if necessary.

• Must be willing and able to work with mice/rats as a research model system.

• Must be willing and able to work safely with radioactive other hazardous 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.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .

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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