Staff Research Associate 2 - Pediatric Nephrology (Part-Time/Limited)

University of California - San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

UCSF Health, AG seeks a Staff Research Associate (Part-Time, Limited Appointment) to support research on ion transport modulators in kidney, digestive, pulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases. The role covers cell culture, electrophysiology (Ussing Chamber), molecular biology, tissue staining, and animal experiments under PI supervision.

The incumbent will ensure protocol adherence, assist with IACUC coordination, maintain lab safety, perform routine maintenance, and participate in weekly lab

Qualifications

• BA/BS in related science or equivalent education/experience.
• Experience with animal handling, genotyping, breeding, colony maintenance.
• Ability to work independently and to assess need for interaction with supervising researcher.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and record keeping skills.
• Careful attention to detail. Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook daily.

Responsibilities

• Perform in vitro electrophysiology in cells and tissues (Ussing Chamber).
• Culture and maintain cell lines and primary cells for experiments.
• Measure ion transport using fluorescence readouts with plate readers.
• Prepare buffers and solutions for experiments; perform molecular biology tasks (PCR, genotyping).
• Stain tissues and cells (immunofluorescence, light microscopy); conduct animal experiments with proper care.
• Ensure animal safety and protocol compliance; coordinate with IACUC for renewals and updates.
• Assist with material transfers, inventory management and safe shipping.
• Attend weekly lab meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Oral & written comms

Organizational skills

Record keeping

Independent work

Education

BA/BS in related science

MS preferred

Tools

Cell culture

PCR

Western blot

In vitro electrophysiology

Animal handling

Job description

Job Description

This is a Part-Time, Limited Appointment position

This position is in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nephrology. The purpose of the position is to support research on the discovery of small molecule modulators of ion transporters/channels important in human diseases, including kidney diseases (kidney stones, kidney failure, hypertension), digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation, motility disorders), pulmonary diseases (asthma, cystic fibrosis), cardiovascular diseases (hypertension) and others.

The Staff Research Associate (SRA) is expected to perform in vitro electrophysiology in cells and tissues (Ussing Chamber), cell culture (maintaining and preparing cell lines for experiments), measurement of ion transport in cells (via fluorescence using plate reader), preparation of buffers and solutions for experiments, molecular biology (PCR, animal genotyping, Western blot), staining techniques for tissues and cells (immunofluorescence, light microscopy etc.), animal experiments (handling, anesthesia, injections, blood-urine-stool collections, colony maintenance, breeding, euthanasia, tissue harvesting, simple surgery), analysis of ions, biomarkers, chemical compounds and metabolites by ion chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The SRA is going to perform the above mentioned work under supervision of the PI and will be trained by the PI for the above mentioned work.

The SRA will have responsibility for animal safety and compliance, controlled substances and biological substances and will be responsible for protocol adherence and timely renewal and updating of the animal protocols in coordination with the PI. It is expected that the incumbent will work closely with IACUC, will determine what supplies are needed for experiments and organize their storage and use and will also assist with material transfers and safe shipping. Together with the other SRA's in the lab, the incumbent is expected to perform shared general lab maintenance duties such as defrosting freezers, cleaning hoods, incubators & sinks, organizing supplies inventory, and overall lab maintenance & upkeep. The SRA will attend weekly laboratory meetings unless in direct time conflict with ongoing research/experiments, and will perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in a related science; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with animal handling, genotyping, breeding, colony maintenance
• Ability to work independently and to assess need for interaction with supervising researcher
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and record keeping skills
• Careful attention to detail. Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook of experiments done on a daily basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cell culture techniques including primary cell cultures, maintenance of cell lines and transfection techniques
• Coursework experience with standard molecular and biochemical techniques including cell culture, PCR and western blotting
• Masters of Science Degree, including one year experience