Research Specialist - Cancer Drug Discovery

UCSF Health, AG; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ashworth Laboratory at UCSF is seeking a Research Specialist to contribute to cancer drug discovery projects. You will work with Dr.

Alan Ashworth and colleagues, designing and executing experiments, troubleshooting, and analyzing data across genomics, cell biology, and in vivo models. Responsibilities include mammalian cell culture, CRISPR engineering, and small-molecule studies, with opportunities to apply AI-assisted design and collaborate across teams.

Qualifications

• More than two years of full-time research experience in molecular biology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot experiments to advance drug discovery projects.
• Evaluate therapeutic targets and drug candidates using molecular, cellular, functional genomic, and pharmacological approaches.
• Conduct small-molecule studies, including drug sensitivity, combination, mechanism-of-action, and biomarker studies.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, CRISPR engineering, and molecular and cellular assays, including cloning, PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.
• Design and conduct in vivo tumor studies, including immunocompetent mouse models.
• Analyze and interpret results to guide experimental and project priorities.
• Utilize computational and AI-enabled tools for experimental design, data analysis, literature synthesis, and drug discovery.
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and communicate findings through presentations, reports, and publications.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and internal and external partners.
• Contribute to laboratory operations as needed.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

CRISPR engineering

Flow cytometry

Western blotting

PCR

Cloning

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Independent planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in molecular biology

Master's degree in molecular biology

PhD in molecular biology

Tools

Mass spectrometry

Proteomics

Nucleic acid isolation

Job description

The Ashworth Laboratory at UCSF is seeking a Research Specialist to contribute to cancer drug discovery projects. You will work with Dr.

Alan Ashworth and colleagues, designing and executing experiments, troubleshooting, and analyzing data across genomics, cell biology, and in vivo models. Responsibilities include mammalian cell culture, CRISPR engineering, and small-molecule studies, with opportunities to apply AI-assisted design and collaborate across teams.