Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF: Junior Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 58,600; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco is seeking a Junior Specialist to contribute to heart rhythm research under Dr. Vasanth Vedantham. The role involves hands‑on laboratory experiments, stem cell differentiation, molecular biology assays, animal work, and data collection across in vitro and in vivo projects.

You will collaborate with the team, manage mouse colonies, assist with imaging, sequencing library preparation, and help prepare figures and manuscripts for publication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Genetics, or closely related field.
• At least one year of hands‑on experience in an academic or industry laboratory.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology techniques, and biochemical assays.
• Familiarity with mouse models, including handling, breeding, genotyping, and maintenance.
• Ability to follow troubleshoot multistep experimental protocols to generate reliable data.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in teams.
• Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and contribute to ongoing research projects.
• Ability to contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation.

Responsibilities

• Performing laboratory experiments (50%): set up and perform experiments and molecular‑cellular techniques such as cloning, DNA/RNA isolation, stem cell differentiation, transfection, viral infection, CRISPR‑Cas9 editing, live‑cell imaging, luciferase assays, RNA‑seq/ATAC‑seq/ChIP‑seq, and DNA‑protein binding assays.
• Physiological, imaging, sequencing data analysis, and writing (30%): analyze physiological data from transmitters in mice, define ECG intervals, identify arrhythmias, perform 3D imaging quantification, and prepare figures/manuscripts for publication.
• Lab Management (20%): assist with training, certifications, inspections, inventory control, instrument maintenance, and mouse colony maintenance.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology techniques

Biochemical assays

Data analysis

Communication skills

Teamwork

PCR genotyping

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Genetics, or related field

Tools

PCR

Genotyping

DNA/RNA isolation

Job description

Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF: Junior Specialist

The incumbent will be involved in performing laboratory experiments and physiological analysis for a basic research program led by Dr. Vasanth Vedantham, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist and basic researcher in the Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco. The research will be focused on gene regulation, molecular biology, and physiology of the heart under normal conditions and in disease models in mouse models and/or human induced pluripotent stem cell models with special attention to heart rhythm.

Job Overview

Under the general direction of Dr. Vasanth Vedantham, the incumbent will perform scientific research experiments related to various research projects, both in vitro and in vivo, relating to heart rhythm. Responsibilities will include performing or assisting with stem cell differentiation and maintenance, molecular biology assays, performing mouse surgeries to implant transmitters, managing a mouse colony, imaging using confocal and light sheet microscopy, preparation of libraries for high throughput sequencing, and general lab maintenance. The candidate will also assist other lab members in lab maintenance duties including PCR genotyping, mouse colony maintenance, and assisting the principal investigator and lab manager in all laboratory-related matters when needed.

Basic Qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• At least one year of hands‑on experience working in an academic or industry laboratory.

Additional Qualifications (required at time of start)

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology techniques, and biochemical assays.
• Familiarity with mouse models, including handling, breeding, genotyping, and maintenance.
• Ability to follow troubleshoot multistep experimental protocols to generate reliable data.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in teams.
• Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and contribute to ongoing research projects.
• Ability to contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation.

Specific Job Description

Performing laboratory experiments (50%)

The individual will work closely with the principal investigator and other lab members to perform and ensure completion of research experiments related to the laboratory’s projects. The individual will set up and perform novel experiments and molecular‑cellular techniques such as molecular cloning, DNA/RNA isolation, stem cell differentiation, transfection, viral infection, CRISPR‑Cas9 gene editing, live‑cell imaging, luciferase assays, genomic profiling assays including RNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, and ChIP‑seq, and DNA‑protein binding assays including EMSA. Animal experiments may include mouse heart dissection, cardiomyocyte isolation, mouse surgery to implant transmitters, tissue processing and histology preparation, and microscopy of fixed cells, tissues, embryos, and hearts. Basic molecular and biochemical assays for RNA/DNA detection using PCR, RT‑PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and cloning will also be performed.

Physiological, Imaging, Sequencing Data Analysis, and Writing (30%)

A major part of the lab’s effort involves analysis of physiological data sets obtained with implantable transmitters and other studies in mice. Analysis may include defining electrocardiographic intervals, identification of arrhythmias from EKG data, heart rate variability, and power spectra. 3D reconstruction and quantification of microscopy images from light‑sheet and confocal microscopy will be required. The incumbent will also prepare figures and manuscripts for publication or presentation at meetings.

Lab Management (20%)

• Assist the Supervisor and Lab Manager to ensure completion of personnel training, certifications, and coordination of lab inspections (OS&H, IACUC) and protocol renewals.
• Maintain chemical, controlled, and expired substance inventories as required.
• Perform lab maintenance tasks, including maintaining instruments, keeping lab areas clean and stocked, assisting with PCR genotyping, and maintaining the mouse colony.

Salary: Estimated $55,000–$58,600.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 its PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

Other Employment Conditions

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

Location

San Francisco, CA