Lee Lab - Junior or Assistant Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,700; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco, in the Lee Laboratory, seeks a specialist to support flow cytometry, immunology work, and preclinical mouse research within a translational cancer research setting. The role involves sample prep, cell culture, molecule biology tasks, and data analysis, contributing to cutting‑edge immunotherapies at UCSF.

You will work with next‑gen techniques, including 10X RNA‑seq and spatial transcriptomics, under experienced supervision, with opportunities for lab

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, immunology, or related field, or at least four years of research experience.
• Master's degree in one of the same fields, or a bachelor’s degree with three+ years of research experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the lab's flow cytometry operations.
• Prepare clinical and preclinical specimens for cytometry.
• Culture T cells.
• Manage mouse research colony.
• Perform molecular biology tasks (RT‑PCR, CRISPR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, transfections, DNA/RNA extraction).
• Analyze flow cytometry data.
• Procure and process clinical tissue samples.

Skills

Flow cytometry

T cell culture

Mouse handling

Molecular biology techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/immunology/related field

Master's degree in biology/immunology/related field

Tools

RT-PCR

CRISPR

Gel electrophoresis

DNA/RNA extraction

Cloning

RNA-seq preparation

Cell culture

Job description

Position Description

A specialist opportunity in flow cytometry and immunology research is available at the University of California, San Francisco in the Lee Laboratory. The Lee Lab works on cancer immunotherapy and is part of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Medicine – Hematology/Oncology. We are a lab focused on cancer immunotherapy research, including discovery of new immunotherapy resistance pathways that make cancer immunotherapy less effective using preclinical and clinical data, and we will also test new treatments to overcome resistance mechanisms.

This specialist will assist with flow cytometry, clinical and preclinical specimen preparation for cytometry, cell sorting, and 10X RNA‑seq, cell culture, preclinical mouse research (including surgical procedures), molecular biology and immunology in a new translational cancer research laboratory at UCSF with a focus on next‑generation cancer immunotherapeutics. The candidate will support the lab in using multiparameter flow cytometry, high‑throughput RNAseq, spatial transcriptomics, and other cutting‑edge techniques with clinical sample analysis, develop novel animal models to conduct mechanistic studies with parallel patient sample analysis, and test preclinical innovative immunotherapy strategies with CAR T cells, stereotactic radiation, and mouse metastasis surgery.

Specifically, the specialist’s tasks will include:

• support for the lab’s flow cytometry
• clinical and preclinical specimen reception/preparation for cytometry
• T cell culture
• mouse research colony handling
• molecular biology (RT‑PCR, CRISPR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, transfections, DNA/RNA extraction for transcriptomic studies, chip arrays, cellular culture/screens, etc.)
• flow cytometry data analysis
• clinical tissue procurement and processing

The specialist will be trained by the Lee Lab for relevant tasks if needed and will also have access to training opportunities within the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and other UCSF entities. This experience will prepare the applicant for future opportunities in biomedical research.

Salary range: $55,000–$70,700 (reasonable estimate).

Required Qualifications

• Junior – A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, immunology, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, computational biology, or a related quantitative/scientific discipline, or at least four years of research experience.
• Assistant – A master’s degree (or equivalent) in one of the same fields, or a bachelor’s degree with three or more years of research experience.

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – must list current and/or pending qualifications.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (optional)
• Statement of Teaching (optional)

Reference Requirements

• 2‑4 references (contact information only)

EEO Statement

San Francisco, CA. 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. UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with its PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

Employment Conditions

As a condition of employment, finalists will be required to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment