Junior or Assistant Specialist - Parent lab

University of California - San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 73,200; Full time

Job summary

University of California - San Francisco’s Parent lab at the Diabetes Center seeks a Junior or Assistant Specialist to culture primary human cells and pluripotent stem cells, perform genome engineering, and analyze cells using immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and flow cytometry. The role includes lab organization and executing standard laboratory tests.

Applicants must have or be pursuing a BA/BS (Junior rank) or a Master's (Assistant rank) in biological/biochemical sciences, with cell culture

Qualifications

• Specialist at the Junior rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a BA/BS degree in biological or biochemical sciences (or a related field).
• Specialist appointed at the Assistant rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a Master's degree in biological or biochemical sciences (or a related field).
• Applicant's materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.
• Applicants must have obtained the degree requirement for the Specialist rank by the time of hire.
• Experience with cell culture methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Culture of primary human cells and pluripotent stem cells
• Genome engineering of cells using techniques like TALEN/CRISPR
• Transfection and/or viral infection of mammalian cells
• Analysis of cells by immunohistochemistry, qPCR and flow cytometry
• The candidate is also required to participate in lab organization tasks such as ordering and maintaining lab supplies and equipment
• The candidate will also design and execute laboratory testing according to standard procedures, make observations and interpret findings

Skills

Cell culture experience

Strong organization skills

Education

BA/BS degree in biological or biochemical sciences

Master's degree in biological or biochemical sciences

Tools

Confocal microscopy

Spectral flow cytometry

Immunostaining

Single-cell preparation

Molecular biology workflows

Job description

Application Window

Open date: July 24, 2026. Next review date: Saturday, Aug 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Final date: Monday, Jan 24, 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.

Junior or Assistant Specialist - Parent lab

The Parent lab at the UCSF Diabetes Center is seeking applicants for a full-time Specialist position at the Junior or Assistant rank. Our research is focused on understanding changes in immune tolerance that lead to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We are combining directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into cell types relevant to T1D and/or organoid culture of primary cells with genome engineering approaches to model the human disease. We are also developing strategies to produce immune evasive stem cell-derived pancreatic beta cells to accelerate clinical translation of cell therapies to treat diabetes.

The work includes:

• Culture of primary human cells and pluripotent stem cells
• Genome engineering of cells using techniques like TALEN/CRISPR
• Transfection and/or viral infection of mammalian cells
• Analysis of cells by immunohistochemistry, qPCR and flow cytometry
• The candidate is also required to participate in lab organization tasks such as ordering and maintaining lab supplies and equipment
• The candidate will also design and execute laboratory testing according to standard procedures, make observations and interpret findings

Required Qualifications:

• Specialist appointed at the Junior rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a BA/BS degree in biological or biochemical sciences (or a related field).
• Specialist appointed at the Assistant rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a Master's degree in biological or biochemical sciences (or a related field).
• Applicant's materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.
• Applicants must have obtained the degree requirement for the Specialist rank by the time of hire.
• Experience with cell culture methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with confocal microscopy, spectral flow cytometry, immunostaining, single-cell preparation, and molecular biology workflows.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to work under minimal supervision are key to this position.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000 - $73,200.

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)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 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: Affimative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

San Francisco, CA