Staff Research Associate 2 - Hematology/Oncology

UCLA Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health is seeking a Staff Research Associate 2 to support cancer immunotherapy research and daily lab operations at our Los Angeles facilities. The role covers molecular biology, cell culture, flow cytometry, and in vivo mouse studies, including tumor models and immune assays.

The candidate will help manage equipment, inventory, and protocols, while maintaining meticulous records and collaborating across teams to advance immunotherapy projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field or experience.
• 2+ years in molecular/cell biology or immunology.
• 1+ years’ experience with mouse in vivo models (tumor/treatment injections, tissue harvesting).
• Knowledge of molecular/cell biology concepts and basic immunology.
• Hands-on techniques (cell culture, cloning, flow cytometry).
• Experience with mouse experiments and tail vein injections.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to train juniors and supervise students.

Responsibilities

• Support molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology studies.
• Perform cell culture, cloning, and flow cytometry experiments.
• Conduct mouse in vivo experiments and tumor/treatment injections.
• Isolate cells from blood/tissue samples and assist with iPSC/T cell platforms.
• Maintain lab inventory, orders, and records; ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with team and train lab members as needed.

Skills

Molecular biology

Immunology

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Mouse in vivo models

Record keeping

Teamwork

Training

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Flow cytometry software

Job description

Onsite or Remote

Fully On-Site

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Posted Date

08/26/2026

Salary Range: $32.79 - 52.75 Hourly

Employment Type

Duration

indefinite

Job #

32672

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The laboratory is dedicated to developing innovative cancer immunotherapies and is seeking a Staff Research Associate 2 to support both cutting-edge research and daily laboratory operations. This role will contribute to a variety of molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology studies, including cell culture, molecular cloning, flow cytometry, immune cell-based assays, and the isolation of cells from human blood and tissue samples. The position will play a key role in complex immunotherapy studies and in vivo T cell immunotherapy experiments utilizing the lab's novel induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and T cell engineering platforms. A significant component of the role involves conducting mouse studies to model human immune responses, requiring hands‑on experience with in vivo tumor models, immune assays, tumor and treatment injections, animal colony management, and related research techniques.

In addition to research responsibilities, the Staff Research Associate 2 will help maintain efficient laboratory operations by managing equipment and critical resources, monitoring laboratory inventory, placing and tracking orders, and supporting overall lab organization and maintenance. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, maintain meticulous records, and apply strong analytical and problem‑solving skills in a fast-paced research environment. Success in this role requires excellent teamwork, communication, and organizational skills, a commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive laboratory culture, and a willingness to assist with training laboratory members at all levels, including volunteers. Reliability, accountability, adaptability, and references from prior research experience are required.

Salary Range: $32.79 – $52.75 Hourly

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years’ experience in molecular and cell biology, immunology, or related area.
• 1+ years’ experience with mouse in vivo experimental models (especially mouse tumor/treatment tail vein injections and tissue harvesting)
• Knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, and basic immunology principles.
• Hands‑on experience with standard laboratory techniques (e.g., cell culture, molecular cloning, flow cytometry).
• Demonstrated experience with mouse experiments (e.g., handling, basic procedures, experimental procedures including tail vein injections).
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot experiments and solve technical problems.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and following protocols.
• Ability to train and supervise students or junior lab members.
• Experience with primary human cell isolation from blood or tissue samples.
• Experience with advanced mouse techniques (e.g., tumor models, immune assays, injections, colony management).

Preferred:

• Familiarity with flow cytometry data analysis software.
• Experience with laboratory management tasks (inventory systems, ordering, equipment maintenance)
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, including but not limited to those outlined above.

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. Current/former UC employees are subject to a personnel file review.