Junior/Assistant Specialist - Ambrosi Lab

University of California; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California – Ambrosi lab at UC Davis Health, orthopaedic surgery, seeks a Junior or Assistant Specialist to support cutting-edge skeletal stem cell research in osteosarcoma and novel molecular engineering strategies in the skeleton.

The specialist will coordinate daily lab operations, assist with primary SSC populations from mouse and human tissues, and help multiple projects while training new researchers. Strong molecular biology skills and collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• General understanding of scientific principles.
• Wet lab or computational biology experience is an advantage.
• Experience in orthopaedic research is an advantage.
• Ability to work cooperatively and adhere to University policy and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Guarantee smooth lab operations: ordering, inventory, writing/updating protocols, support experiments.
• Assist with writing animal protocols and IRB proposals.
• Maintenance of lab equipment and execution of experiments.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data from skeletal stem cell studies.
• Coordinate collection of clinical patient research specimens and present results at meetings.
• Train new researchers in basic protocols and analyses.
• Promote Culture of Safety and join conferences/publications.

Skills

General understanding of scientific_pr

Wet lab experience

Computational biology experience

Orthopaedic research experience

Collaborative / team player

Tools

qPCR

RNA extraction

Job description

The Ambrosi lab at UC Davis Health School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, an academic/clinical department, encompassing several sub-specialties, is seeking a Junior Specialist or Assistant Specialist to support cutting-edge studies investigating skeletal stem cell-based cancer biology.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery invites applications from qualified candidates for a Junior or Assistant Specialist position (full-time or part-time) in orthopaedic stem cell research. The Specialist will assist with research projects involving the delineation of skeletal stem cell (SSC) based processes in osteosarcoma as well as to establish novel molecular engineering approaches for targeted treatment of oncogenic malignancies in the skeleton. Previous and ongoing work has comprehensively investigated SSC biology during mouse and human development as well as how alterations in the SSC compartment drive aging by cell-autonomous processes and multi-stem cell system crosstalk. Our long-term goal is to develop strategies to prevent and reverse SSC-based bone aging and malignancies.

The Specialist will be responsible for coordinating regular every day lab operations. The Specialist will be assisting laboratory members in the preparation and analysis of primary skeletal stem cell populations isolated from mouse and human tissues. The Specialist will assist multiple projects and must manage time efficiently in doing so. The Specialist will work independently under general guidance from the postdocs/grad students and must have the ability to recognize irregularities in experimental results and modify experiments as needed. Multiple basic techniques and skills are desired and include: techniques of molecular biology, tissue culture, qPCR and RNA extraction. Depending on the experience and time the Specialist will be able to develop and maintain independent projects. Additionally, the Specialist will order supplies and prepare some reagents for use by other members of the lab and will train new researchers in basic protocols and analyses.

The Ambrosi lab offers an inclusive, multidisciplinary, and collaborative work environment. We strive to conduct cutting edge research at the forefront of orthopaedic research. The Specialist will be able to learn and apply the latest methodologies, including single cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, in vitro and in vivo stem cell assays. We anticipate that the Specialist will be attending and presenting at major scientific conferences as well as significantly contribute to publications as an author. We also encourage and offer full mentoring support for grad/med school applications.

The incumbent will work under the direction of Dr. Thomas Ambrosi.

The resulting hire will be at the Junior/Assistant Specialist rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Standard wet lab duties pertaining to guaranteeing smooth lab operations. This includes but is not limited to ordering, maintaining inventory, writing, and updating protocols, supporting experiments of other lab members. Assist with writing animal protocols and IRB proposals. Maintenance of lab equipment. Perform, analyze, and interpret experiments. Coordinate and facilitate collection of clinical patient research specimens. Present results and progress updates at lab meetings and make presentations to experimental and scientific collaborators. Attend seminars, lectures, and training courses to learn new skills. Review literature on an ongoing basis to remain current with new procedures and apply learnings to related research. Assist with orientation and training of new staff or students on lab procedures or techniques. Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors bases on training and lessons learned.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Research in Specialized Areas (90% effort)
  Participate in research projects involving the delineation of skeletal stem cell (SSC) based processes in osteosarcoma as well as to establish novel molecular engineering approaches for targeted treatment of oncogenic malignancies in the skeleton.
• Professional Competence and Activity (8% effort)
  Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations. Review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.
• University and Public Service (2% effort)
  May maintain liaison and respond to the needs of various industry organizations, state and federal agencies, and other external groups on issues related to area of expertise. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate.

Number of Positions Available: 1

• General understanding of scientific principles
• Wet lab or computational biology experience of advantage
• Experience in orthopaedic research of advantage
• Must have the ability to work cooperatively and collegially within a diverse environment and adhere to University policy and procedures