Junior or Assistant Specialist - Schjerven Lab

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco invites applications for a Junior or Assistant Specialist in the Schjerven Lab. The role involves supporting general lab tasks and contributing to defined research projects focused on transcriptional regulation in immune system development and disease using mouse models and human cells.

This in-person, 1-year commitment (2-year preferred) offers training in diverse molecular and cellular biology methods, including flow cytometry, CRISPR-based studies,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field, or at least four years of research experience.
• Master's degree or bachelor's with three or more years of research experience.
• Experience in general laboratory work or related areas.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication.
• Strong attention to detail and record-keeping.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to learn new methods and work independently or on a team.
• Pending qualifications must be listed.
• Meet all requirements by the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Support ongoing research projects in a general lab role.
• Contribute to day-to-day laboratory operations including ordering.
• Maintain mouse colonies and lab inventory.
• Assist with lab organization and safety inspections.
• Learn from and contribute to the UCSF research environment.

Skills

General lab work

English communication

Detail orientation

Independent work

Multi-tasking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Flow cytometry

Molecular biology

Mouse handling

NGS techniques

Job description

Position Description

Junior or Assistant Specialist – Schjerven Lab

We are seeking a self-motivated team member for a Junior or Assistant Specialist position to join our team. The responsibilities include providing support to the lab in general laboratory tasks and performing research on pre‑defined projects. The ideal candidate is genuinely interested in research, collaborates well, pays attention to detail, keeps reliable records, and can work independently to meet project goals and timelines with minimal supervision. The Schjerven Lab studies transcriptional regulation in the development and disease of the immune system using mouse models and human cells to investigate hematopoietic development and malignancies, including autoimmunity and blood cancers. We employ a broad spectrum of molecular and cellular biology methods, such as mouse models, flow cytometry, CRISPR‑derived technology for functional studies, next‑generation high‑throughput sequencing for ’omics’ analysis, and other approaches as needed. The successful applicant will support and actively participate in ongoing research projects, learn from the active academic research environment at UCSF, and assist with day‑to‑day laboratory operations, including ordering, mouse colony maintenance, laboratory organization, maintenance, and inspection. A 1‑year commitment is required, with a 2‑year timeline preferred. This is an in‑person position at the UCSF Parnassus campus, suitable for candidates seeking additional research experience before graduate school. The lab community offers opportunities to enhance academic skills such as scientific presentation and discussion to prepare graduates for further study.

Required Qualifications

• Specialists appointed at the junior rank must possess (or be in process of obtaining) a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) or at least four years of relevant research experience.
• Specialists appointed at the assistant rank must possess (or be in process of obtaining) a master’s degree (or equivalent) or a baccalaureate degree with three or more years of research experience.
• Experience in general laboratory work, including one of the following: mouse colony maintenance, molecular biology, cell culture/cell biology, flow cytometry, immunological techniques, microscopy, or generation (and analysis) of next‑generation high‑throughput sequencing. Training will be provided for other areas as needed.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication.
• Strong attention to detail and strong record-keeping and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a given work day and allocate time accordingly.
• Willingness and ability to learn new methods and skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.
• Applicant’s materials must list pending qualifications upon submission.
• Applicant must meet all requirements by the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience culturing mammalian cells, mouse handling and care, flow cytometry, and molecular biology techniques.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications.
• Cover Letter

Reference Requirements

• 2–5 required (contact information only)

Legal and EEO Statements

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: Affinity Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

San Francisco, CA