Nayak Lab - Junior Research Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 58,600; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco is seeking a Junior Research Specialist to join the Nayak Lab focusing on the gut microbiome and rheumatic diseases. You will contribute to ongoing projects using microbial genomics, anaerobic microbiology, and computational analysis.

You will help with day-to-day lab operations, assist with experiments, and work with a multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, immunologists, and computational biologists. A 2-year commitment is expected.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to learn new methods and adjust to changing research priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with wet lab techniques and/or computational analysis.
• Bachelor’s degree or four years of research experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day‑to‑day lab operations and general duties.
• Contribute to anaerobic microbiology, genomics, and immunology projects.
• Work independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Report to the lab leadership and help with project development and literature review.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Willingness to learn new methods

Independent work

Task prioritization

Wet lab techniques

Computational analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Description

Junior Research Specialist

Microbiome of Rheumatic Diseases

The Nayak Lab (nayak.ucsf.edu) has an opening for a junior research specialist who is interested in advancing our knowledge of the gut microbiome and its impact on rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. We use multiple state-of-the-art technologies, including bacterial genomics, metabolomics, anaerobic microbiology, bacterial genetics, gnotobiotic animal models, and studies of patient cohorts to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbiota impact patient response to treatment of rheumatic disease. A major driving force of the lab is the advancement of precision medicine for patients with rheumatic disease.

The candidate will contribute to new and ongoing projects in the lab. The candidate will use or learn a variety of techniques in anaerobic microbiology, microbial genomics, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, mouse work, computational analysis, and immunology. Additionally, the specialist will be expected to assist with managing day‑day lab operations, perform general lab duties, and be a positive lab citizen. Candidates will be expected to work independently and be active contributors to the collaborative multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, immunologists, and computational biologists. The successful candidate will report directly to Dr. Renuka Nayak, MD, PhD but will work closely with collaborators within and outside the group. An exceptional candidate will lead their own independent project, develop new ideas, be familiar with the literature, and participate in procurement of funds, where appropriate. Candidates interested in pursuing MD, PhD, or MD/PhD training will benefit most from this laboratory experience.

We are seeking at least a 2‑year commitment. Depending on performance and workload, opportunities for independent research, mentorship of other trainees, and scientific writing will be available. Applicants must meet requirements by the time of appointment.

The Nayak Lab is located at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, perched atop Land’s End and overlooking the San Francisco Bay. We are part of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine (BCMM), enabling engagement with a rich community of investigators and access to cutting‑edge resources for promoting microbiome research.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written).
• Willingness and ability to learn new methods and skills for changing research priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate work tasks with others, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Familiarity with standard wet lab techniques (e.g., preparation of reagents/chemicals, basic microbiology, tissue culture, PCR, western blot, DNA/RNA purification) and/or computational analysis of large datasets.
• Must have (or be in process of obtaining) a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree) or four years of research experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with handling pathogenic microbes, aseptic techniques.
• Prior experience in high throughput sequencing and analysis.
• Prior experience in mass spectrometry or other analytical chemistry approaches.
• Prior experience in flow cytometry or other immune profiling methods.
• Prior experience in the design and assembly of DNA constructs.
• Prior experience in bacterial genome manipulation.
• Prior experience working with mice.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF05730. Applicants’ materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$58,600.

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g., board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference Requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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 our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to 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

San Francisco, CA