Research Laboratory Associate - 136719

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 66,441 - 106,839; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health institution in San Diego is seeking a Research Associate to perform experiments with biological materials and assist in various research projects. Candidates should have knowledge in biology, immunology, and data analysis. Responsibilities include training students and maintaining lab safety protocols. This position offers a competitive salary range from $66,441 to $106,839 annually, with employment subject to background checks and compliance with vaccination requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with protein expression and purification.
• Experience performing scientific analysis and research project design.
• Knowledge of genetics and sterile techniques.

Responsibilities

• Plan and perform scientific analysis of research projects.
• Assist in writing manuscripts and submitting IRB applications.
• Train new students in safety requirements and lab techniques.

Skills

Biological research

Data analysis

Protein purification

PCR/QPCR techniques

Sterile techniques

Record keeping

Basic cell culture

ChIP-Sequencing

RNA-Sequencing

Education

Strong theoretical knowledge of biology or related field

Job description

Overview

Under supervision, the research associate will be responsible for performing experiments using biological materials (e.g., cells or mammalian tissue samples), carrying out tasks required for general biological laboratory maintenance, storage, organization, and analysis of data using basic computer programs.

Laboratory tasks include preparation of reagents/solutions and conducting protein and immunohistochemistry protocols. The position also requires ensuring compliance with facility safety and regulatory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design and perform scientific analysis of research projects including writing analysis plans and reports.
• Identify and perform appropriate analysis methods for skin research and service projects.
• Assist the PI in developing and modifying research designs for studies in melanoma and immunology.
• Assist in writing manuscripts, writing and submitting IRB applications and progress reports to funding agencies (e.g., NIH), focusing on analysis, methods and results sections.
• Assist graduate students and others in their scientific analysis.
• Maintain lab safety protocols, analyze bioinformatics structure biology, and proteomics data.
• Train new postdoctoral fellows or graduate students in techniques such as RNA and protein analysis, immunohistochemistry, viral transductions, and tissue culture.
• Keep records of all safety protocols; interface with Environmental Health and Safety personnel to ensure compliance.
• Train new students in safety requirements and contribute to design of experiments to understand genome-wide binding and protein interactions; analyze transcriptomes and proteins with gene knockdowns.
• Support training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in lab techniques.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong theoretical knowledge of biology, immunology, cell biology or related field.
• Demonstrated experience with protein expression and purification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic genetics.
• Demonstrated experience performing scientific analysis and design of research projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sterile techniques.
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis using basic calculations and Excel.
• Demonstrated experience with PCR/QPCR.
• Demonstrated skill in accurate record keeping and ability to organize analyze and calculate data.
• Demonstrated experience with basic cell culture techniques.
• Demonstrated experience and skills with all facets of the lab to provide effective training.
• Demonstrated skill in performing ChIP-Sequencing.
• Demonstrated skill in performing RNA-Sequencing.
• Demonstrated experience making independent innovative contribution pertaining to design and analysis of experiments.

Special Conditions

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Willingness to work with animals including rodents, mice and rats.
• Ability to work safely with biohazard materials.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Transparency Act: Annual Full Pay Range: $66,441 - $106,839 (will be prorated if appointment percentage is less than 100%); Hourly Equivalent: $31.82 - $51.17. Hiring pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The range may be broader based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements where applicable.

Department, worksite, and appointment: East Campus (La Jolla); 100% appointment; Career; 8 hrs/day, Monday-Friday; 1 opening.

Filing Deadline: Thu 10/2/2025. Apply Now.

UC San Diego values equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

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. UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer. See policy details and anti-discrimination information in the linked references.

Eligibility, Vaccination and Compliance

If employed by the University, you may be required to comply with vaccination programs and other public health directives. Life-support certifications (e.g., BLS, NRP, ACLS) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

Application Notes

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period but a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

UC San Diego Health Sciences comprises multiple schools and departments and supports translational research aimed at improving patient care. UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a smoke-free and drug-free environment.