Junior, Assistant, Associate, or Full Specialist - Ashworth Laboratory

UCSF Health, AG; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ashworth Laboratory at UCSF is seeking a Research Specialist to contribute to cancer drug discovery projects. You will work with Dr.

Alan Ashworth and colleagues, designing and executing experiments, troubleshooting, and analyzing data across genomics, cell biology, and in vivo models. Responsibilities include mammalian cell culture, CRISPR engineering, and small-molecule studies, with opportunities to apply AI-assisted design and collaborate across teams.

Qualifications

• More than two years of full-time research experience in molecular biology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot experiments to advance drug discovery projects.
• Evaluate therapeutic targets and drug candidates using molecular, cellular, functional genomic, and pharmacological approaches.
• Conduct small-molecule studies, including drug sensitivity, combination, mechanism-of-action, and biomarker studies.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, CRISPR engineering, and molecular and cellular assays, including cloning, PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.
• Design and conduct in vivo tumor studies, including immunocompetent mouse models.
• Analyze and interpret results to guide experimental and project priorities.
• Utilize computational and AI-enabled tools for experimental design, data analysis, literature synthesis, and drug discovery.
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and communicate findings through presentations, reports, and publications.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and internal and external partners.
• Contribute to laboratory operations as needed.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

CRISPR engineering

Flow cytometry

Western blotting

PCR

Cloning

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Independent planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in molecular biology

Master's degree in molecular biology

PhD in molecular biology

Tools

Mass spectrometry

Proteomics

Nucleic acid isolation

Job description

Application Window

Open date: October 16, 2026

Next review date: Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

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

Final date: Sunday, Apr 16, 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

The Ashworth Laboratory at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Specialist to contribute to a variety of cancer drug discovery projects.

The Ashworth Lab utilizes functional genomics, cell and molecular biology, CRISPR-based approaches, small-molecule screening, and in vivo models to investigate how tumor genetics influence therapeutic response and to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities.

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Alan Ashworth and other members of the Ashworth Laboratory to advance drug discovery projects focused on developing novel therapeutic strategies for cancer. This position requires a demonstrated ability to work independently, design and execute experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, and analyze and interpret experimental results. The person hired will be expected to take substantial responsibility for assigned research projects while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot experiments to advance drug discovery projects.
• Evaluate therapeutic targets and drug candidates using molecular, cellular, functional genomic, and pharmacological approaches.
• Conduct small-molecule studies, including drug sensitivity, combination, mechanism-of-action, and biomarker studies.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, CRISPR engineering, and molecular and cellular assays, including cloning, PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.
• Design and conduct in vivo tumor studies, including immunocompetent mouse models.
• Analyze and interpret results to guide experimental and project priorities.
• Utilize computational and AI-enabled tools for experimental design, data analysis, literature synthesis, and drug discovery.
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and communicate findings through presentations, reports, and publications.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and internal and external partners.
• Contribute to laboratory operations as needed.

Required Qualifications

• More than two years of full-time research experience in molecular biology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret wet-lab experiments.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Strong experimental, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including rigorous experimental documentation and management of multiple research priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness and ability to perform animal experiments.
• Self-motivation, initiative, scientific curiosity, and enthusiasm for cancer biology and drug discovery.
• Junior Specialist: Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) in molecular biology or a related field, or at least four years of research experience.
• Assistant Specialist: Master's degree (or equivalent degree) in molecular biology or a related field, or a baccalaureate degree with three or more years of research experience.
• Associate Specialist: Master's degree (or equivalent degree) in molecular biology or a related field, or five to ten years of relevant research experience.
• Full Specialist: Terminal degree (or equivalent degree) in molecular biology or a related field, or ten or more years of relevant research experience.
• Applicants must meet the qualifications for the applicable rank at the time of appointment.
• Applicants' materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cancer drug discovery, pharmacology, chemical biology, or translational research; biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience is a plus.
• Experience advancing drug discovery, target-validation, or translational research projects.
• Experience with small-molecule screening, dose-response, drug-combination, mechanism-of-action, or biomarker studies.
• Experience with CRISPR-based functional genomics and generation of engineered cell lines.
• Experience with mass spectrometry and/or proteomic approaches
• Experience with molecular and cellular techniques such as cloning, nucleic acid isolation, PCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry.
• Experience with mouse handling and in vivo tumor models.
• Ability to integrate results across experimental approaches to inform project decisions.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000 - $201,700.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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