Behavioral Laboratory Research Associate - Psych - 141632

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health in San Diego seeks a Behavioral Laboratory Research Associate to support pre-clinical psychiatry research. The role involves behavioral testing with mice and rats, tissue assays, and meticulous data management in a collaborative lab environment.

The incumbent will assist with breeding, rodent surgeries, and data analysis using LabChart and related software, while guiding undergraduate volunteers and visiting scholars. A BA/BS in a related field is required.

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge in Psychology, Neuroscience or Biology with a bachelor's degree.
• Experience handling rats and mice and performing standard assays.
• Detail-oriented with strong record-keeping and confidentiality.
• Experience with ELISAs, DNA/RNA extraction and immunohistochemistry.
• Familiar with stereotaxic surgery and rodent anesthesia.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral experiments with mice and rats.
• Perform biochemical and molecular assays on tissues.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with breeding of transgenic lines.
• Carry out rodent surgeries including cannula placement.
• Train undergrad volunteers and visiting scholars.

Skills

Animal handling

Lab experience

Dosage calculation

Record keeping

Stereotaxic surgery

Anesthesia administration

Breeding mice

Communication

Confidentiality

DNA extraction

RNA extraction

ELISAs

LabChart

Med Associates

Noldus

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

LabChart

Med Associates

San Diego Instruments

Noldus

Coulbourn

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 11/04/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry ranks among the nation's leading academic psychiatry departments, recognized for its exceptional research enterprise, innovative clinical programs, and outstanding educational training. Our faculty and staff are driving meaningful advances in mental health science, delivering transformative patient care, and shaping the next generation of clinicians and researchers. We offer a collegial, high-achieving work environment where talented professionals are empowered to grow, collaborate, and contribute to work that matters.

This work will be performed in a pre-clinical research laboratory within the Department of Psychiatry, which focuses mainly on behavioral pharmacology in animals as related to Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and other psychiatric illnesses.

Under supervision, the incumbent will work as a Behavioral Laboratory Research Associate, conducting multiple types of behavioral experiments with mice and rats as well as biochemical and molecular assays on animal and human tissues within the Department of Psychiatry. The research associate will also maintain accurate records of testing and euthanize mice and rats as instructed. The research associate will be required to document and use procedures to weigh and dissolve drugs, weigh animals and administer drugs, assist the lab manager with breeding of transgenic mouse lines, perform record keeping of mouse breeding, process tissue for assays (e.g., blood, organs, or brain), perform standard laboratory assays such as ELISAs, DNA/RNA extraction and immunohistochemistry, collect and sort data using specialized software on lab computers, maintain neat and accurate records, as well as assist with training of undergraduate volunteers and visiting scholars. The research associate will conduct rodent surgeries as directed, including stereotaxic placement of cannula and implantation of cranial magnets. Finally, assisting in maintaining lab cleanliness will be required, as will assisting supervisor with tasks as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology or other related field as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience handling rats and mice (restraining, ear-tagging, injections, etc.).
• General laboratory and behavioral lab experience.
• Experience with calculating dosages and dissolving a variety of chemicals.
• Experience with DOS, Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office software.
• Demonstrated detailed organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Proven ability to assist and perform standard laboratory assays such as but not limited to ELISAs, DNA/RNA extraction, immunohistochemistry.
• Excellent ability to communicate with all levels of laboratory personnel.
• Demonstrated experience with filing, alphabetizing, organizing and maintaining research file tasks.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of stereotaxic surgery.
• Ability to administer anesthesia to rodents pre-operatively and provide post-operative care to animals.
• Working knowledge of the Animal Care Program's required husbandry practices.
• Knowledge of mouse breeding colony procedures.
• Experience with laboratory computers and specialized data collection software (LabChart, Med Associates, San Diego Instruments, Noldus).
• Experience with specialized behavioral testing equipment (Med Associates, San Diego Instruments, Coulbourn, Noldus).
• Knowledge of small animal perfusion.
• Knowledge of general laboratory safety practices and requirements.
• Experience with stereotaxic placement of cannula and implantation of cranial magnet surgeries.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• University coursework in organic/inorganic chemistry, biology, pharmacology, psychology/psychiatry, genetics, and laboratory techniques (pipetting, solution preparation, dosage calculation, etc.).
• Experience with intravenous drug administration to rodents.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Must be willing to handle and euthanize rats and mice.
• Must be willing to collect and handle animal tissue.
• Must be willing to handle human specimens.
• Must be willing to work overtime, nights, and/or weekends if necessary for experimental purposes.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $62,891 - $75,022 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $30.12 - $35.93

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).