Staff Research Associate 3 - Pediatric BMT

University of California - San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - San Francisco is seeking a Senior Research Associate III to lead in vivo rodent research on thymic and T cell biology within the Department of Pediatrics. The role requires independent planning of long-term projects, complex mouse colony management, and advanced molecular and cellular analyses.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience with NSG strains, survival surgeries, and a variety of wet-lab techniques including FACS, confocal imaging, and molecular

Qualifications

• BA/BS in a related science with two years of related work experience.
• Experience in immunology, hematopoiesis, and T cell development.
• Proven mouse husbandry, breeding schemes, and multiple administration routes.
• Experience with rodent survival surgery and tissue collection.

Responsibilities

• 50% of time: manage large, complex mouse colonies including NSG strains, plan dosing, perform surgeries, and collect tissues.
• 25% of time: wet lab operations including confocal microscopy, IHC/IF/ICC, FACS, molecular biology.
• 15% of time: data analysis and reporting; maintain notebooks; assist PI with protocols and manuscripts.
• 10% of time: lab managerial duties; ensure safety/compliance, organize records, oversee equipment, train junior staff.

Skills

Mouse colony management

Surgical techniques

Cell culture

FACS

Immunohistochemistry

Molecular biology

Confocal microscopy

Data analysis

Laboratory safety

Education

BA/BS in related science

Tools

FlowJo

ImageJ/LAS X

GraphPad Prism

Job description

Department of Pediatrics is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Research Associate III (SRA) to support our research project on T cell development, thymic epithelial biology, and thymic regeneration. The SRA will serve as a senior technical specialist leading in vivo rodent research projects on thymic and T cell functions. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge in T cell and thymus biology, experience independently managing large, complex mouse colonies, planning and performing long-term, complex surgical procedures, and executing downstream tissue, cellular and molecular analyses, with exceptional attention to detail.

The SRA is also required to independently plan and carry out original research projects in the laboratory, using a combination of techniques including cell culture, FACS, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and molecular biology.

As an SRA, the candidate is expected to operate with a high level of independence, troubleshoot technical difficulties, and maintain safety and regulatory compliances. The ideal candidate needs to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, and assist in training students and junior lab personnel.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• 50% of time – Mouse colony management and experimental operations include:
  • Independently manage large, complex immunodeficient mouse colonies including NSG-athymic mice and other NSG strains.
  • Perform routine animal husbandry tasks including breeding, weaning, genotyping and tagging; monitor colony health; coordinate with vivarium staff regarding logistics.
  • Plan and execute long-term, complex dosing procedures including HSC engraftment and immunization; plan and perform blood collection; conduct survival surgeries including renal capsule transplantations, and post-op animal care.
  • Conduct terminal tissue collection under aseptic conditions, including thymus, spleen, bone marrow and grafted tissues.
  • Work with BSL2+ materials in animals.
  • Oversee animal record keeping, including colony records, surgery logs and controlled substance use logs.
• 25% of time – Wet lab operations include:
  • Confocal microscopy: prepare tissue sections, perform IHC, IF and ICC staining, and execute confocal imaging.
  • FACS: using multi-color panels, including surface and intracellular staining.
  • Molecular biology: perform DNA/RNA extractions, PCR/qPCR, western blot, molecular cloning, and NGS library preps.
  • Cell culture: maintain primary and cell line cultures, perform transfections, transductions, and AAV and lentivirus preps.
  • Work independently to optimize and develop new protocols to address novel scientific questions. Be expected to use scientific innovation in developing new and novel approaches to the research.
• 15% of time – Data analysis and reporting include:
  • Process, analyze and organize experimental data using specialized software.
  • Maintain meticulous lab notebooks and digital records.
  • Assisting the PI in drafting/updating IACUC/IBC protocols, writing manuscripts and presentations, preparing NIH/CIRM documentations.
• 10% of time – Lab managerial duties include:
  • Ensure lab compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
  • Assist with lab organization including electronic and paper record keeping.
  • Oversee the maintenance, inspection and repair of lab equipment.
  • Provide training and guidance to junior lab members, students and trainees.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS with a degree in a related science, including two years of recent/directly related work experience, utilizing the techniques/methods required by the position and demonstrating technical expertise in these areas; and/or equivalent experience/training
• Background in immunology, with specific knowledge in hematopoiesis and T cell development
• Demonstrated proficiency in mouse husbandry, breeding schemes, and multiple administration routes
• Proven ability to perform rodent survival surgery and tissue collection under aseptic conditions
• Experience with a wide range of wet lab skills, including cell culture, FACS, microscopy, and molecular biology techniques
• Proficiency with specialized scientific software such as FlowJo, ImageJ/LAS X, and GraphPad Prism
• Excellent organizational skills, strong record‑keeping, and ability to work independently as a technical specialist

Preferred Qualifications:

• Specialized scientific background in thymus development and TEC/thymocyte crosstalks
• Demonstrated surgical techniques including bone marrow transplantation, renal capsule transplantation, and adoptive transfer models
• Extensive experience with advanced multi-color FACS including spectral flow cytometry
• Experience working with BSL2+ materials
• Prior experience managing vendor relations, ordering, and compliance documentation (IACUC, EH&S, BSL-2)