Scientific Research Associate - 141490

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego's Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences seeks a Scientific Research Associate to support drug development and pharmacology research. Under supervision, you will assist with sample extraction, LC-MS/MS operation, data collection, and analysis across multiple projects.

Responsibilities include administrative tasks, safety compliance, and preparation of reports and figures. A Bachelor’s degree in a related science and hands-on wet-lab experience are required;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology or related field or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of chemistry and chromatography/mass spectrometry principles.
• Wet-lab sample extraction/preparation techniques.
• Ability to operate laboratory instrumentation.
• Basic data analysis with spreadsheets.
• Attention to detail and strict adherence to written protocols.
• Laboratory safety and chemical handling knowledge.
• Recordkeeping for purchasing, receipts, and expense reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Assist with sample extraction, data collection, instrument operation, and data analysis under supervision.
• Prepare biological, environmental, and clinical samples for LC-MS/MS analysis.
• Collect and organize experimental metadata and support data interpretation.
• Perform administrative and safety duties including ordering, safety compliance, and inventory tracking.
• Assist in preparing reports, figures, and manuscript sections.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Biology fundamentals

Chemistry knowledge

Molecular biology

Wet-lab techniques

LC-MS/MS operation

Data analysis

Recordkeeping

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences/Microbiology

Tools

LC-MS/MS instrumentation

Job description

#141490 Scientific Research Associate

Filing Deadline: Fri 10/9/2026

Payroll Title: SRA 2 NEX

Department: SCH OF PHARMACY AND PHARM. SCI

Hiring Pay Scale: $32.79 - $52.75 / Hour

Worksite: Campus

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 50%

Union: RX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 9/29/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS) is growing in the diverse areas of professional educational programs, cutting-edge research, and pharmacy services. Research areas specific to this position posting include the spectrum of drug development, drug discovery, pharmacology in disease models, toxicology, drug delivery, and pharmacy practices including pharmacoeconomics, pharmacogenomics, and health systems. The school is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

Under direct supervision of the Principal Investigator and senior lab personnel, SRA 2 assist with sample extraction, data collection, instrument operation, and data analysis. The duties are not limited to extracting and preparing biological, environmental, and clinical samples, running them on LC-MS/MS instrumentation, collecting and organizing experimental and sample metadata, and assisting with data analysis and interpretation to support ongoing research projects. Additionally, perform administrative and safety duties, including ordering and tracking laboratory supplies and reagents, submitting purchase receipts and processing cost reconciliation against grant accounts, maintaining chemical inventory and safety requirements, supporting laboratory safety compliance and training tracking, and assisting in the preparation of reports, figures, and manuscript sections. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical understanding and practical knowledge of biology, chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry attained through a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and laboratory experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of general chemistry and chromatography and/or mass spectrometry principles.
• Hands-on aptitude for wet-lab sample extraction/preparation techniques.
• Comfortable operating laboratory instrumentation.
• Basic computer literacy for data analysis (spreadsheets, basic statistics).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written protocols precisely.
• Basic laboratory safety and chemical handling knowledge.
• Comfortable with basic recordkeeping for purchasing, receipts, and expense reconciliation.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Willingness to flexibly shift among extraction, instrument, and data analysis duties based on funding and project needs.
• Ability to work effectively under direct supervision as part of a team.
• Prior hands-on experience with LC-MS/MS sample preparation and instrument operation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience handling animal study samples or human biospecimens.
• Programming or data analysis experience (Python, R, or Excel-based statistics).
• Familiarity with GNPS, MassQL, molecular networking, or related mass spectrometry data analysis tools Prior exposure to AI/LLM-assisted research tools or agentic workflows.
• Experience contributing to scientific writing or manuscript preparation.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $68,466 - $110,142 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $32.79 - $52.75

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, 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; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

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.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace