Staff Research Associate 2 - OBGYN

UCLA Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health is seeking a full-time Staff Research Associate II for the Gynecologic Oncology (GO) Discovery lab to study molecular pathways in ovarian and endometrial cancers. You will perform flow cytometry, IHC, proteomics and transcriptomics on human specimens, cell lines, and animal samples under a faculty mentor, contributing to publications and grants.

Lab support duties are also required. The role demands flexibility for a 40-hour week, including evenings or weekends as needed, with

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular, biochemical and cellular research.
• Ability to perform euthanasia on animals for research purposes.
• Experience isolating tissues and doing tissue culture work.
• Ability to perform biochemical techniques as well as molecular biology techniques
• Interpersonal skills to effectively interact with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to work independently and to take direction.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory of supplies and laboratory instruments.
• Ability to make innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory procedures.
• Ability to read abstracts or scientific articles pertaining to prosecution of broad research problems.
• Ability to use lab equipment including PCR machine, centrifuges, etc.
• Ability to analyze research findings and prepare clear, concise and accurate technical/statistical reports.
• Ability to work standing for at least 90% of the working day.
• Ability to keep records of specimen.
• Working knowledge of conducting literature search.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to departmental attendance standards
• Previous lab experience of 1 year.
• Experience with tissue culture.
• Experience with RT and real time PCR.
• Skill in troubleshooting and making minor repairs of laboratory instruments/equipment.
• Experience performing data entry using a PC and Mac.
• Ability to work variable 40-hour workweek (i.e., evenings, early morning, weekends) as needed.
• Ability to prepare samples for analysis using standard methods.
• Skill in writing legible, concise and grammatically correct documentation in Standard English. Ability to assure that consent forms are properly signed, dated, and completed.
• Ability to go to operating room to collect surgical specimens
• Ability to take specimens to Pathology Department
• Ability to consult with Pathologist to determine which specimens can be used for research.
• Skill in processing specimens according to protocol guidelines.
• Ability to request recuts of pathology slides
• Skill in reviewing slides with Pathologist
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory of specimens.
• Ability to complete data management forms both electronically and handwritten.
• Skill in implementing software program for management of biorepository.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with other Division personnel
• Ability to attend meetings as requested.
• Ability to participate in planning strategies to accomplish goals.
• Ability to accept and carry out other duties as assigned.
• Ability to handle primary cells, stain them with antibodies and prepare them for FACS sorting

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular, cellular and genomic research techniques (flow cytometry, IHC, proteomics, transcriptomics).
• Work with cultured cell lines, human clinical specimens and research animals.
• Prepare data and write for publications and grants; support lab operations.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Immunohistochemistry

Proteomics

Transcriptomics

Data analysis

Laboratory documentation

Animal handling

Laboratory teamwork

Literature review

Equipment maintenance

Tools

PCR machine

Centrifuges

Job description

Onsite or Remote

Fully On-Site

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; hours may vary

Posted Date

02/27/2026

Salary Range: $32.79 - 52.75 Hourly

Employment Type

Duration

Indefinite

Job #

29106

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The research lab of Sanaz Memarzadeh, MD, PhD, focuses on understanding the molecular basis of the formation, progression and treatment of gynecologic epithelial cancers.The Gynecologic Oncology (GO) Discovery lab (godiscoverylab.com) investigates the molecular pathways in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian and aggressive endometrial tumor cells that are candidates for therapeutic intervention via small molecule inhibitors and/or immunotherapy.Knowledge gained from this translational research will then be used to design and test strategies for cancer therapeutics that will move onto clinical trials.

Under the mentorship of Dr.Memarzadeh, you will work as a full-time Staff Research Associate IIand will perform a variety of molecular, cellular and genomic research techniques (flow cytometry, IHC, proteomics, transcriptomics) while working on projects related to understanding the immunologic and genetic events involved in the formation and progression of gynecologic disease. You will also work with cultured cell lines, human clinical specimens and research animals. Other responsibilities include the preparation of data and technical writing for publications and grants and a significant portion of lab support duties.

The full hourly salary range for this position is: $32.79 - $52.75

Job Qualifications

Required

• Experience in molecular, biochemical and cellular research.


• Ability to perform euthanasia on animals for research purposes.


• Experience isolating tissues and doing tissue culture work.


• Ability to perform biochemical techniques as well as molecular biology techniques


• Interpersonal skills to effectively interact with faculty, staff, and students.


• Ability to work independently and to take direction.


• Ability to maintain accurate inventory of supplies and laboratory instruments.


• Ability to make innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory procedures.


• Ability to read abstracts or scientific articles pertaining to prosecution of broad research problems.


• Ability to use lab equipment including PCR machine, centrifuges, etc.


• Ability to analyze research findings and prepare clear, concise and accurate technical/statistical reports.


• Ability to work standing for at least 90% of the working day.


• Ability to keep records of specimen.


• Working knowledge of conducting literature search.


• Demonstrated ability to adhere to departmental attendance standards


• Previous lab experience of 1 year.


• Experience with tissue culture.


• Experience with RT and real time PCR.


• Skill in troubleshooting and making minor repairs of laboratory instruments/equipment.


• Experience performing data entry using a PC and Mac.


• Ability to work variable 40-hour workweek (i.e., evenings, early morning, weekends) as needed.


• Ability to prepare samples for analysis using standard methods.


• Skill in writing legible, concise and grammatically correct documentation in Standard English. Ability to assure that consent forms are properly signed, dated, and completed.


• Ability to go to operating room to collect surgical specimens


• Ability to take specimens to Pathology Department


• Ability to consult with Pathologist to determine which specimens can be used for research.


• Skill in processing specimens according to protocol guidelines.


• Ability to request recuts of pathology slides


• Skill in reviewing slides with Pathologist


• Ability to maintain accurate inventory of specimens.


• Ability to complete data management forms both electronically and handwritten.


• Skill in implementing software program for management of biorepository.


• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with other Division personnel


• Ability to attend meetings as requested.


• Ability to participate in planning strategies to accomplish goals.


• Ability to accept and carry out other duties as assigned.


• Ability to handle primary cells, stain them with antibodies and prepare them for FACS sorting

Preferred

• Experience with molecular biology.


• Ability to review operating room schedule and identify cases for tissue collection studies.

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.