Lab Assistant I - Neurology (Limited)

UCLA Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health in Los Angeles is seeking a Lab Assistant to maintain neuronal cell cultures, perform drug treatment experiments, and analyze data under supervision. The role includes ordering supplies, maintaining hoods and incubators, and collaborating with the team to stay current with literature.

The position is fully on-site, with a 1-year term and potential to convert to a career. Strong English communication and meticulous record-keeping are essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to accurately prepare tissue-culture media and reagents.
• Ability to culture cells and avoid contamination.
• Ability to count cells and plate in 96-well plates.
• Ability to differentiate cells into a neuronal phenotype.
• Ability to prepare solutions of small-molecule drug candidates and negative-control solutions.
• Ability to add compounds gently to cultured neurons without disrupting the neurons.
• Ability to measure cytotoxicity using chromogenic or fluorogenic assays.
• Ability to tabulate results accurately and present them verbally in a comprehensive presentation to the postdoctoral fellow and principal investigator.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory equipment, supplies, and cells to maintain inventory and stock.
• Experience with neurologic diseases.
• Excellent verbal and written English skills.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the PI and a postdoctoral fellow, maintain neuronal cell cultures.
• Conduct experiments treating cells with small-molecule drug candidates and perform cytotoxicity assays.
• Analyze data, maintain detailed lab notes, and report to the postdoc and PI.
• Order supplies and maintain tissue-culture hoods and incubators.
• Communicate with team members and keep up with scientific literature.

Skills

Cell culture

Laboratory techniques

Data presentation

English communication

Team collaboration

Detail oriented

Education

B.S./B.A. in biology/biochemistry/Neuroscience

Tools

Microsoft Office

GraphPad

Job description

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Onsite or Remote

Fully On-Site

Work Schedule

Posted Date

09/09/2026

Salary Range: $27.04 - 32.31 Hourly

Employment Type

4 - Staff: Limited

Duration

1 year

Job #

32805

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

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Under the general supervision of the principal investigator and a postdoctoral fellow, the Lab Assistant will maintain neuronal cell cultures, conduct experiments treating cells with small-molecule drug candidates, perform cytotoxicity and immunocytochemistry experiments, analyze the data, maintain detailed lab notes, and report to the postdoc and the PI. The Lab Assistant will also be responsible for ordering the necessary supplies, helping maintain tissue-culture hoods and incubators, communicating with members of the team, keeping up with the relevant scientific literature, and participating in group meetings.

This is a limited position that may convert to career.

Hourly Salary Range: $27.54 - $33.13

Job Qualifications

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Required:

• Ability to accurately prepare tissue-culture media and reagents
• Ability to culture cells and avoid contamination
• Ability to count cells and plate in 96-well plates
• Ability to differentiate cells into a neuronal phenotype
• Ability to accurately prepare solutions of small-molecule drug candidates and negative-control solutions
• Ability to add compounds gently to cultured neurons without disrupting the neurons.
• Ability to measure cytotoxicity using chromogenic or fluorogenic assays.
• Ability to tabulate results accurately and present them verbally in a comprehensive presentation to the postdoctoral fellow and principal investigator
• Macintosh skills and experience with Microsoft Office software, and GraphPad programs
• Knowledge of standard laboratory equipment, supplies, and cells to maintain inventory and stock
• Experience with neurologic diseases
• Excellent verbal and written English skills

Prefered:

• B.S. or B.A. in biology/biochemistry/Neuroscience

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. Current/former UC employees are subject to a personnel file review.