Skin Cancer Genomics Research Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) invites applications for an Associate Specialist in the Shain Laboratory, Department of Dermatology, to study genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of normal skin and skin cancers. The role combines experimental design, data generation, and computational analysis to test biological hypotheses.

Applicants should have strong molecular biology, skin biology, and cancer genomics backgrounds, with experience in primary cell culture and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics, cancer biology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline, or five to ten years of relevant research experience.

Responsibilities

• Designing and conducting studies of melanocytes, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and skin cancers.
• Isolating and culturing primary human cells and preparing samples for genomic and transcriptomic profiling.
• Performing molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, library preparation, and quality-control assays.
• Applying next-generation sequencing methods, including single-cell, paired genomic/transcriptomic, and spatial transcriptomic approaches.
• Developing, implementing, and maintaining computational workflows for high-throughput sequencing data.
• Analyzing somatic mutations, mutational signatures, gene-expression programs, and spatially resolved molecular data.
• Integrating experimental and computational findings to generate and test biological hypotheses.
• Preparing figures, manuscripts, presentations, and materials supporting research proposals.
• Coordinating collaborative projects and communicating findings to investigators with diverse experimental, computational, and clinical backgrounds.
• Training and mentoring students, research assistants, and other laboratory personnel.
• Maintaining accurate experimental and computational records and adhering to laboratory, data-management, and campus safety policies.

Skills

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Genomics

Bioinformatics

R

Python

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in molecular biology/biochemistry/genetics/genomics/cancer biology/bioinformatics

PhD or equivalent terminal degree (preferred)

Tools

G&T-seq

Single-cell sequencing

Spatial transcriptomics (Xenium/Visium)

Job description

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) invites applications for an Associate Specialist in the Shain Laboratory, Department of Dermatology, to study genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of normal skin and skin cancers. The role combines experimental design, data generation, and computational analysis to test biological hypotheses.

Applicants should have strong molecular biology, skin biology, and cancer genomics backgrounds, with experience in primary cell culture and