Blackburn Lab - Junior Specialist

UCSF Health, AG; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Francisco's Blackburn Lab is seeking a Junior Specialist to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from clinical study participants and coordinate sample transfers between Mission Bay and the UCSF Core Immunology Laboratory at Zukerberg San Francisco General hospital.

The role includes training in flow cytometry, performing telomere length and telomerase activity assays, and presenting basic data analyses using Microsoft Office and other software.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, or closely related field or at least four years of research.
• Hands-on experience in a cell biology or molecular biology lab.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to learn new lab techniques and software.

Responsibilities

• Isolate PBMCs from clinical study participants.
• Coordinate transfer of samples between Blackburn Lab and UCSF Core Immunology Laboratory.
• Perform telomere length and telomerase activity assays.

Skills

Lab techniques

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelors in Life Sciences

Tools

PCR

qPCR

GraphPad Prism

Job description

Application Window

Open date: October 12, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Apr 12, 2028 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Blackburn Lab - Junior Specialist
Biochemistry and Biophysics
UC San Francisco

The Blackburn Lab is currently recruiting for a Junior Specialist. Key responsibilities include isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from our clinical study participants and coordinating the transfer of samples between the Blackburn Lab at Mission Bay and the UCSF Core Immunology Laboratory at Zukerberg San Francisco General hospital, perform telomere length and telomerase activity assays. The Junior Specialist will also be trained by the Core Immunology Laboratory to perform flow cytometry analysis. They will perform and present basic analysis of telomere length, telomerase activity and flow cytometry data using Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant commercial software. Working with the team's statisticians, they will contribute to data analysis and manuscript writing.

Required Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, or a closely related life science field or at least four years of research experience.
• Hands on experience working in a cell biology or molecular biology lab.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office suite programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to learn new lab techniques and software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with human blood.
• Experience with PCR and qPCR.
• Experience with statistic programs, such as GraphPad Prism.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000-$60,700.

Application Requirements

Document Requirements

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference Requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

About UC San Francisco

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

* "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

* UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

* UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

* APM - 035: Affi...

Job location

San Francisco, CA