Lab Assistant

University of California - San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California - San Francisco is seeking a Laboratory Support Assistant to perform essential lab maintenance, glassware washing, and autoclave operations in the Department of Pathology. You will prepare culture media and buffers, stock supplies, and maintain cleanliness and safety protocols across two floors of laboratories.

Requires a high school diploma with lab experience or two years of college with science courses.

Qualifications

• High school graduation and two years of laboratory experience, or two years of college with courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and one year of laboratory experience.
• Ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations; ability to follow oral/write instructions in English.
• High level of attention to details.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions to archive reproducible results.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple demands and competing deadlines.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Requests efficiently and effectively, responds promptly to conflicting priorities, uses sound judgment, and accommodates last-minute supervision.

Responsibilities

• General lab maintenance including washing lab glassware and autoclave – 50%
• Making complex buffers and cell culture media and plates using sterile technique – 5%
• Cleaning cell culture area, maintaining machinery and being responsible for biohazard waste removal – 10%
• Autoclaving; making solutions such as LB‑Broth and phosphate buffered saline – 15%
• Prepare 70% ethanol – 5%
• Manual refill plastic tips, micropipette and Pasteur pipette – 10%
• Light cleaning and maintenance for the lab and bench – 5%

Skills

Attention to detail

Follow detailed instructions

English literacy

Time management

Discretion and confidentiality

Ability to work under deadlines

Education

High school diploma

Two years of college with science courses

Job description

Position Overview

Work in the Department of Pathology Research Area, which has 8 research laboratories on two floors, HSW-4th and HSW-5th. Independently collect dirty glassware and plastic ware from department laboratories. Wash the glassware, and prepare it for sterilization, using the autoclave. Restock shelves, drawers, and cupboards with clean, dry glassware. Refill micropipette and Pasteur pipette and autoclave. Make solutions like LB‑Broth, Phosphate Buffered Saline. Prepare 70% Ethanol. Duties include general lab maintenance and restocking consumable laboratory supplies. This job requires a lot of walking/standing.

This position will provide professional, accurate and comprehensive lab support to members of the research labs and faculty in the Department of Pathology.

Duties & Essential Job Functions

• General lab maintenance including washing lab glassware and autoclave – 50%
• Making complex buffers and cell culture media and plates using sterile technique – 5%
• Cleaning cell culture area, maintaining machinery and being responsible for biohazard waste removal – 10%
• Autoclaving; making solutions such as LB‑Broth and phosphate buffered saline – 15%
• Prepare 70% ethanol – 5%
• Manual refill plastic tips, micropipette and Pasteur pipette – 10%
• Light cleaning and maintenance for the lab and bench – 5%

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation and two years of laboratory experience, or two years of college with courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and one year of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations; ability to follow oral/write instructions in English.
• High level of attention to details.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions to archive reproducible results.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple demands and competing deadlines.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Requests efficiently and effectively, responds promptly to conflicting priorities, uses sound judgment, and accommodates last‑minute supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• UCSF work experience, knowledge of UCSF and the School of Medicine; knowledge of UCSF accounting processes and policies, travel and entertainment policies and restrictions, HIPAA/Privacy policies, travel arrangements using Connexxus, check requests using BearBuy, CHR application submissions using iMedRis and reimbursements using MyExpense.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.