Pownall Lab – Associate/Full Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 78,300 - 201,700; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco invites applications for an Associate/Full Specialist in Biochemistry and Biophysics in the Pownall Lab. The position focuses on chromatin biology in developing zebrafish embryos using advanced microscopy, with responsibilities spanning experimental design, zebrafish breeding, cell culture, cloning, RNA synthesis, and imaging.

The appointee will help manage lab operations, maintain safety standards, support zebrafish care, collaborate on ChromExM

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or five to ten years of research experience for Associate rank.
• Terminal degree or ten+ years for Full rank.
• Experience in vertebrate embryology and advanced microscopy.
• Demonstrated research productivity and publications.
• Collaborative experience and laboratory coordination.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments, including zebrafish breeding and embryo microinjection.
• Culture cells, clone, synthesize RNA, immunostain, and image with confocal/expansion microscopy.
• Contribute to publications and grant applications; train lab members and collaborators.
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations, order supplies, and ensure safety compliance.
• Assist with zebrafish care and husbandry; manage ChromExM collaborations.

Skills

Vertebrate embryology

Advanced microscopy

Collaborative work

Experimental design

Independent troubleshooting

Lab management

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Terminal degree (e.g., PhD)

Tools

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular cloning

In vitro RNA synthesis

Immunostaining

Confocal microscopy

Expansion microscopy

DNA/RNA FISH

ChromExM

Zebrafish care and husbandry

Job description

Position Description

Pownall Lab – Associate/Full Specialist, Biochemistry and Biophysics, UC San Francisco

The Pownall Lab at UCSF is seeking a full or associate specialist interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling chromatin structure and function in developing zebrafish embryos using advanced microscopy methods. The candidate will be responsible for independently designing and performing experiments, including but not limited to zebrafish breeding and embryo microinjection, mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning and in vitro RNA synthesis, immunostaining, confocal microscopy, expansion microscopy, DNA and RNA FISH, and quantitative image analysis. The candidate will also contribute to the preparation of publications and grant applications.

The candidate will help to oversee day-to-day operations of the lab, including ordering laboratory supplies, maintaining lab organization, and ensuring compliance with safety standards, and will assist with zebrafish care and husbandry as needed. This position will be focused on ChromExM technology development and applications, including managing collaborations to apply ChromExM to other systems and training and mentoring lab members and collaborators. The candidate is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, including taking ownership of experimental direction, troubleshooting, and execution with minimal oversight. Successful candidates are expected to be extremely detail-oriented, highly organized, collaborative, and enjoy protocol development. The ideal start date is no later than October 2026.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of research experience to be appointed at the Associate rank.
• Terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of research experience to be appointed at the Full rank.
• Demonstrated experience in vertebrate embryology (fish, frog, or mouse).
• Broad expertise in advanced microscopy.
• A record of research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience working collaboratively in a shared research environment and contributing to laboratory organization, coordination, and support of other researchers.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in molecular biology or a closely related field (e.g., genetics, cell biology).
• Experience with super-resolution microscopy (SMLM, STED, SIM, etc.).
• A track record of training and mentoring others will be preferred.
• Demonstrate strong initiative in independently identifying, prioritizing, and communicating experimental and organization needs.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $78,300-$201,700.

Document Requirements

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

Reference Requirements

• 2 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: Affitative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

San Francisco, CA