Senior Microbiome & Immunology Research Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 93,200 - 194,800; Full time

Job summary

The Nayak Lab at UCSF is seeking a Full Specialist with expertise in microbiome research and immunology, focused on advancing our understanding of the gut microbiome in rheumatic diseases.

You will design and execute diverse experiments using anaerobic microbiology, microbial genomics, molecular biology and computational analyses; supervise trainees; contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation; and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to push projects forward.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) or 10+ years of research experience.
• Demonstrated microbiome and immunology expertise with peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience with standard lab techniques (microbiology, PCR, flow cytometry, mouse work).
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and ability to learn new methods.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret experiments across multiple methods.
• Develop and optimize new assays and procedures.
• Maintain equipment and quality control.
• Review medical literature and contribute to data analysis in R.
• Contribute to publications, grants, and collaborative projects.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff and trainees.
• Manage day‑to‑day lab operations and safety/compliance.
• Engage with interdisciplinary collaborators at UCSF BCMM.

Skills

Microbiology

Immunology

Microbial genomics

Computational biology

Murine models

R data analysis

Mentoring trainees

Project leadership

Education

PhD or MD or equivalent

Tools

Anaerobic microbiology

Nucleic acid extraction

PCR

Flow cytometry

Analytical chemistry

Mouse studies

Gnotobiology

Job description

The Nayak Lab at UCSF is seeking a Full Specialist with expertise in microbiome research and immunology, focused on advancing our understanding of the gut microbiome in rheumatic diseases.

You will design and execute diverse experiments using anaerobic microbiology, microbial genomics, molecular biology and computational analyses; supervise trainees; contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation; and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to push projects forward.