Lab Assistant I, Neurosciences - 142054

San Diego Supercomputer Center; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego’s Chattree Lab in Neurosciences seeks Laboratory Assistant I to support mouse behavioral, imaging, histology, and molecular procedures. Under supervision, you’ll help establish records, inventories, and workflows while training on techniques.

Prior lab experience not required; strong willingness to learn and collaborate with a dynamic team is essential. This 100% time, 8-hour shifts, days, location La Jolla, offers hands-on mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge neuroscience

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED or equivalent with science exposure.
• Foundational knowledge of biology or neuroscience through coursework or training.
• Willingness to learn lab techniques and work with mice.

Responsibilities

• Assist with mouse behavioral, surgical, imaging, histological, and molecular procedures.
• Support day-to-day laboratory operations and record-keeping.
• Help establish organized records, inventories, and experimental workflows.
• Receive training on lab techniques and adapt responsibilities to demonstrated skills.
• Interact with the PI, discuss results, and contribute to research discussions.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Clear communication

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

College coursework in sciences

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Payroll Title: LAB AST 1

Department: NEUROSCIENCE

Hiring Pay Scale: $27.04 - $28.70 / Hour

Worksite: La Jolla

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: TX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

Job ID: #142054 Lab Assistant I, Neurosciences

Filing Deadline: Tue 11/17/2026

The Chattree Lab in UC San Diego's Department of Neurosciences studies how brain cell types and circuits contribute to movement and cognition in Parkinson's disease and related neurological disorders, with the goal of developing more precise therapies. Led by Gaurav Chattree, MD, a movement-disorders neurologist and physician-scientist, the lab combines mouse behavior, optical imaging, targeted circuit manipulation, and molecular analysis of brain tissue.

Under the PI's supervision, the Laboratory Assistant I assists with established mouse behavioral, surgical, imaging, histological, and molecular procedures and supports day-to-day laboratory operations. As an early lab member, the assistant helps establish organized records, inventories, and experimental workflows. Training will be provided in lab-specific techniques, with responsibilities matched to demonstrated skills. Applicants do not need experience in every method. The role includes close interaction with the PI, discussion of research findings, and mentorship connecting circuit neuroscience with questions arising in clinical neurology.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and one year of laboratory experience; or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with the knowledge and abilities essential to the assigned duties.
• Foundational knowledge of biology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline through coursework, training, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to learn laboratory techniques under supervision and work with mice in accordance with approved protocols and animal-welfare requirements.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, carry out established procedures carefully, and maintain accurate records and notebooks.
• Organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage samples, supplies, and experimental schedules.
• Ability to communicate clearly, work cooperatively with others, discuss research results, and seek guidance when procedures or results are unclear.
• Basic computer skills for recording data, organizing files, and using spreadsheets; willingness to learn laboratory software and safe equipment handling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory organization, inventory, reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, or research-protocol documentation.
• Prior experience with mouse handling strongly preferred, colony maintenance, genotyping, or behavioral experiments. Candidates with strong potential who require additional training will also be considered.
• Experience assisting with stereotaxic surgery, viral injections, cranial windows, or postoperative animal care.
• Experience with histology, immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy, or in situ hybridization.
• Experience with calcium imaging, two-photon microscopy, or basic analysis of imaging or behavioral data, including Python or MATLAB.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be willing to work with mice and biological materials under approved protocols and complete required animal-research and laboratory safety training.
• Must be available for occasional evening or weekend work to meet animal-care and experimental needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $56,460 - $67,463 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $27.04 - $32.31

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in‑person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care.

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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.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace