Research Associate I

The J David Gladstone Institutes; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 81,234,000 - 93,607,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous benefits

Paid vacation

Commuter benefits

Shuttle transportation

Job summary

Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco's Mission Bay is seeking a Research Associate I to join a team studying age-related neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. You will maintain and differentiate patient iPSCs into neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, performing cell-based assays and imaging to explore disease mechanisms.

The role offers exposure to high-throughput screening, machine learning approaches, and collaboration with industry partners, with opportunities to present data and

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Biology or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 0–2 years of research experience with basic biology skills and sterile technique.
• Experience with cell culture, microscopy, and molecular biology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Differentiate human iPSCs into neural lineages and perform cell-based assays.
• Carry out automated and manual imaging assays using biosensors.
• Perform ELISA, western blot, immunocytochemistry, and confocal microscopy.
• Conduct DNA work (cloning, PCR) and basic molecular biology.
• Analyze imaging data with R, Galaxy, and ImageJ to prepare datasets.
• Document procedures and communicate results in meetings.

Skills

Cell culture

Microscopy

Molecular biology techniques

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Biology or related field

0-2 years research experience

Tools

ImageJ

Galaxy

Nextflow

Python

Job description

Category: Science Lab/Area: Finkbeiner Lab Description:

Who we are: The Gladstone Institutes is an independent, not-for-profit research institution. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of all people through medical research and education in neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and stem cell biology. Home to notable leaders in science and biomedicine, Gladstone comprises five institutes as well as various centers and programs. All of its approximately 600 members are aligned in their mission to carry out or support science that overcomes disease. Located in an award-winning building at the Mission Bay Campus, Gladstone offers a competitive salary and benefits program. It provides an ideal environment for those seeking to maximize and fully leverage their potential. Consider Gladstone and make a difference in human health.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated, curious, and creative Research Associate I to join Lisa Elia and her team that is focused on investigating the mechanisms of age-dependent neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation to better understand disease biology and to identify novel therapeutic opportunities for neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). One key area of research involves modeling neuroinflammation and the role it plays in neurodegeneration by focusing on the role of glia, and especially neuron-microglial interactions, to better understand the mechanistic contributions to disease pathogenesis. We are also interested in the role that protein homeostasis plays in aging and in disease, and a main research focus in the lab is on the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP). This position offers an opportunity to participate in cutting‑edge research and use high throughput (HTS) and high content (HCS) image‑based screening by robotic microscopy and computational approaches including machine learning in glial and neuron cell types derived from human patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to identify disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. The candidate will join a dynamic multidisciplinary research team and we wish to find someone with a collaborative and pioneering work ethic and genuine enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. Many of our projects are carried out in collaboration with industry partners to develop new therapeutics based on the target we identify.

What you will do:

Maintain and differentiate human patient iPSCs to neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and organoids, and carry out cell transfections, nucleofections, or viral transductions and perform cell‑based assays using imaging and other approaches. Perform automated and manual cell‑based imaging assays with novel biosensors for cell survival, neuroinflammation, autophagy, lysosome function, protein trafficking, and other cell‑based functions. Perform standard assay techniques such as ELISA, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy and spectral imaging. Perform standard molecular biology techniques such as DNA preparation and restriction enzyme digestions, DNA cloning and plasmid construction, gel electrophoresis, and qPCR. Perform manual curation and statistical analysis of imaging data using basic computational skills (R‑analysis, Galaxy pipeline workflow construction, Image J/Fiji) to generate high quality datasets for machine learning or publication. Exercise basic technical discretion to troubleshoot experiments. Review data, prepare figures and reports, and communicate results to scientists and the general public in team and departmental meetings and conferences. Participate in collaborative work with multi‑disciplinary teams. Maintain and complete documentation of all experimental procedures in written and electronic lab notebooks. Perform other duties as requested, be a team player, and be a mindful and collaborative lab citizen.

What you will need:

• B.S. or M.S. in Biology, Biotechnology, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 0-2 years of research experience including basic biology skills and excellent cell culture sterile technique
• Experience with cell culture, microscopy, and cellular and molecular biology techniques

What is preferred:

• Experience with immunofluorescence, automated, and confocal microscopy is a plus
• Experience with machine learning and deep learning computational approaches to analyze imaging datasets
• Familiarity with image processing pipelines, such as Nextflow
• Familiarity with Python
• Willingness to learn new skills and take on complex new challenges beyond your comfort level with an enterprising “can‑do”, creative, curious, and open‑minded attitude
• Ability to work independently and also collaboratively in a team‑oriented setting
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication and presentation

Salary Range:

$28.35/hr. ($58,968) - $32.67/hr. ($67,949)

Gladstone Perks & Benefits

• People–work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates within an organization that values each member of its community.
• A meaningful place to grow and learn–whether it’s your professional skills or scientific knowledge, we have the resources and environment to advance either so you can better support Gladstone’s mission to drive a new era of discovery in disease‑oriented science and to mentor tomorrow’s leaders in an inspiring and excellent environment.
• Healthy work/life balance–you are highly engaged and productive at work because you can have time to recharge and enjoy a vibrant life outside of work.
• Compensation–competitive salary. Title and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
• Excellent benefits–generous medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid vacation, commuter benefits, access to free shuttle transportation.

Gladstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other non‑job related characteristic. We make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment.

Based in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood, Gladstone is an independent state‑of‑the‑art biomedical research institution that empowers its world‑class scientists to find new pathways to cures.