Professional Researcher

University of California San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco invites applications for a Professional Researcher to work with the Principal Investigator, guiding daily lab activities and mentoring trainees across graduate students, postdocs, and researchers. The role emphasizes experimental design, data analysis, and publication preparation within a dynamic tumor biology-focused lab.

The incumbent will independently lead projects from concept to execution, manage lab operations, and provide scientific leadership for

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree or its equivalent.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Help run the lab and mentor trainees, guiding project planning and execution.
• Collaborate with trainees to optimize assay selection, experimental design, data analysis, and publication goals.
• Provide career guidance, assist with manuscript planning, and grant and fellowship applications.
• Oversee lab operations including hiring, procurement, EH&S documentation, and IACUC/LARC protocols.
• Lead projects from conceptualization through execution, interpretation, and publication while directing the research portfolio.

Skills

Cell engineering

Cell signaling

Immunology

Cancer biology

Education

Doctorate degree

Job description

Professional Researcher
University of California, San Francisco

The incumbent will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) to help run the lab, taking on many of the day‑to‑day responsibilities of project planning and mentorship. A major part of the job will be meeting with trainees one on one (we presently have seven graduate students, four postdoctoral scholars and medical fellows, and five undergraduate researchers and research associates) to help them drive projects efficiently, optimizing assay selection, experimental design, data analysis, and prioritize research efforts while also helping them move through their various programs by providing career guidance, support with manuscript planning, editing and helping with fellowship, grant, and job applications. The incumbent will also manage many aspects of lab operations by working with department administration on job postings, interviewing, and hiring; procurement on equipment and supplies purchases; Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) on safety documentation for BUA and inspections; and IACUC and LARC on drafting and updating all animal research protocols. The incumbent’s role in the laboratory is centered on providing independent scientific leadership and directing the research program carried out by trainees. Together, the incumbent and PI will establish the overall scientific vision and priorities for the lab, and the incumbent will independently lead projects from conceptualization and experimental design through execution, interpretation, and publication. The incumbent will be expected to mentor trainees in scientific rigor, experimental strategy, and critical analysis while overseeing multiple research initiatives, including projects focused on the tumor microenvironment, the mechanistic biology of fusion proteins, and receptor engineering; and provide scientific leadership for many of the laboratory’s most innovative research programs. This role’s responsibilities are fundamentally research‑focused, encompassing scientific direction, project leadership, experimental innovation, mentorship, and the advancement of the laboratory’s independent research portfolio. The incumbent should bring deep expertise in cell engineering, cell signaling, immunology, and cancer biology; have methodological and technical expertise in the development of cellular therapy technologies.

Required Qualifications:

• A doctorate degree or its equivalent
• 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
• Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment.
• Candidates’ CV must state qualifications or if pending upon submission.

See Table 13B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $141,200-$257,100.

• A doctorate degree or its equivalent
• Candidates’ CV must state qualifications or if pending upon submission.