Lab Operations & Specimen Logistics Assistant

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego invites applications for a Lab Assistant II to support laboratory logistics, transport clinical specimens, and maintain proper chain-of-custody across multiple sites. You will drive between locations to monitor equipment, assemble specimen kits, and maintain accurate logs according to protocol.

Responsibilities include maintaining safe lab spaces, tracking hazardous waste, restocking supplies, and assisting with basic cellular/molecular techniques as needed.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED and two years of lab experience or two years of college with biology courses and one year lab experience.
• Previous lab experience in a research/academic setting.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and work independently with guidance as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information per reporting procedures.
• Basic computer skills; experience with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Adobe PDF.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory logistics and transport clinical specimens between collection sites.
• Coordinate with staff and public to ensure proper sample handling and chain-of-custody.
• Drive between lab and satellite locations to monitor equipment and verify performance.
• Prepare, assemble, and restock specimen collection kits; maintain logs and documentation.
• Keep lab spaces clean, safe, and compliant with university regulations.
• Track hazardous waste and coordinate proper disposal; monitor supplies and stock solutions.
• Assist with cellular/molecular biology techniques and basic cell culture tasks as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong organizational skills

English communication

Safety-consciousness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe PDF

Job description

UC San Diego invites applications for a Lab Assistant II to support laboratory logistics, transport clinical specimens, and maintain proper chain-of-custody across multiple sites. You will drive between locations to monitor equipment, assemble specimen kits, and maintain accurate logs according to protocol.

Responsibilities include maintaining safe lab spaces, tracking hazardous waste, restocking supplies, and assisting with basic cellular/molecular techniques as needed.