Lab Research Associate - iPSC & Organoid Biology

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Staff Research Associate to support a Neonatology research program focusing on lung and gut development, surfactant biology, host-pathogen interactions, and human milk science. The role involves differentiating iPSCs into organoids, performing viral assays, and managing the lab operations.

The position requires strong molecular biology, flow cytometry, imaging skills, and a commitment to safety. Collaboration with students and supervisor is essential.

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge of a life science typically acquired by a Bachelor's Degree in a related field such as molecular biology, cell or stem cell biology, developmental biology, bioengineering, immunology, or biochemistry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in mammalian cell culture and aseptic/sterile technique, including media preparation, passaging, and cryopreservation.
• Demonstrated experience with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture under feeder-free conditions.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques including RNA/DNA extraction and qRT-PCR, and preparation of samples for next-generation sequencing.
• Demonstrated experience performing flow cytometry and/or fluorescence-activated cell sorting.
• Demonstrated experience with immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry and light, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy.
• Experience conducting statistical analysis on research data.
• Ability to follow experimental protocols and to modify protocols as appropriate to experimental techniques, with supervisor input.
• Strong demonstrated experience using common laboratory equipment such as biosafety cabinets, CO2 incubators, centrifuges, microscopes, PCR thermocyclers, balances, pH meters, and autoclaves.
• Demonstrated experience in proper handling of chemical and biohazardous materials and adherence to established safety and biohazard guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience ordering and maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies, including inventory tracking and vendor communication.
• Demonstrated ability to calculate volumes and dilutions and to use aseptic technique for handling precious human samples such as primary cells.
• Experience observing and overseeing undergraduate students and assisting the supervisor in designing projects for them.
• Detail-oriented, with skill in record keeping and maintaining organized laboratory notebooks.
• Proficiency with computer applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, including literature searching and basic graphing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills needed to interact professionally, document research procedures, and read, comprehend, and discuss research materials.
• Willingness to learn new techniques and tasks and to share knowledge in a respectful, team-oriented manner.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, the Staff Research Associate performs laboratory bench experiments supporting a research program in the Division of Neonatology studying lung and gut development, surfactant biology, host-pathogen interactions, human milk science, and cellular senescence.
• Works from established protocols, maintains and differentiates human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into organoids, reprograms PBMCs into iPSC lines, and maintains air-liquid interface and 3D organoid cultures.
• Conducts viral infection assays (e.g., RSV-GFP) and human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) screens under BSL-2 conditions, and performs cellular senescence assays.
• Performs molecular biology, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy, and completes data and statistical analysis of experimental results.
• Partners with the supervisor to design experiments and to plan projects carried out by undergraduate students.
• Serves as lab manager, overseeing daily laboratory operations, reagent and supply ordering, human stem cell inventory, equipment maintenance, and laboratory safety, and acting as the primary contact for EH&S laboratory safety protocols (BUA, CHUA) and safety documentation.
• Experiments are performed largely independently and as part of a team.
• Reviews the current literature to stay current on new techniques.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

iPSC culture

Molecular biology techniques

RNA/DNA extraction

qRT-PCR

Flow cytometry

Immunofluorescence

Microscopy

Statistical analysis

Laboratory safety

Inventory management

Data recording

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Tools

Biosafety cabinets

CO2 incubators

Centrifuges

Microscopes

PCR thermocyclers

Pipettes and balances

Job description

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Staff Research Associate to support a Neonatology research program focusing on lung and gut development, surfactant biology, host-pathogen interactions, and human milk science. The role involves differentiating iPSCs into organoids, performing viral assays, and managing the lab operations.

The position requires strong molecular biology, flow cytometry, imaging skills, and a commitment to safety. Collaboration with students and supervisor is essential.