Staff Research Associate, Cellular & Molecular Med - 141393

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a candidate for a full-time researcher role in Cellular and Molecular Medicine on the UCSD campus. The position requires 100% appointment in a Day shift schedule (Mon-Fri) and involves LC/MS-based analytical work, data interpretation, and collaboration across departments.

The department emphasizes high-quality research, manuscript preparation, and rigorous safety practices. Extensive experience with LC/MS and quantitative analysis is valued.

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge of analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline with advanced degree or equivalent experience.
• Extensive hands-on LC/MS instrumentation and analytical method development experience.
• Ability to independently carry out new experimental procedures with accuracy and efficiency.
• Experience interpreting complex data and relating results to research aims.
• Experience maintaining laboratory equipment and following safety guidelines.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and Prism; ability to present data clearly.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

LC/MS instrumentation

Data analysis

Manuscript preparation

MS Word

Excel

Prism

Education

Advanced degree in related discipline

Tools

LC/MS

MS Word

Excel

Prism

Job description

Payroll Title

SRA 3

Department

CELLULAR & MOLECULAR MEDICINE

Worksite

Campus

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

RX Contract

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

Filing Deadline: Tue 9/29/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment

Apply by 9/18/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants

Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

Description

UCSD Health Sciences is a $1 billion dollar plus organization encompassing 17 academic departments (15 clinical, 2 basic sciences), 2 preacademic/hospital departments, 2 professional schools (School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2 hospitals, and various other programs and units all dedicated towards fulfilling the Health Sciences missions. The UCSD Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) is one of two basic science units in the School of Medicine where world‑class researchers study fundamental cellular processes and pathways using a variety of techniques from classical genetics and fluorescence microscopy to high throughput genomics, systems biology, and crystallography. Our 37 faculty and over 200 postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and research staff work on the cutting edge of biology, cutting across fields from basic biochemistry and genetics to genomics, systems biology and stem cell biology. The faculty also play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars. The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically advanced, and deeply interested individuals who are ready to become a part of our dynamic research and educational environment.

Minmum Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge of analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline as typically attained with an advanced degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive hands‑on expertise in LC/MS instrumentation and analytical method development, including experimental workflow design, optimization, and troubleshooting; complex biological sample preparation; instrument maintenance; and quantitative data analysis.
• Proven ability to independently carry out new experimental procedures with accuracy and efficiency.
• Proven experience interpreting and analyzing complex data and making determinations related to research aims.
• Proven ability to properly use and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the operation of a personal computer, including MS Word, Excel, and Prism.
• Proven experience contributing to manuscript preparation. Experience with scientific data analysis software and preparation of publication‑quality figures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships and excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including tact, maturity, professionalism, and flexibility, to interact and collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and appropriate campus department personnel; proven ability to work independently and/or collaboratively within a team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a complex work schedule. Proven ability to prioritize workload and to shift efforts to meet changing and demanding project and research timelines. Proven ability to take initiative and handle responsibility and demonstrated effective time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, or systems biology applications.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be willing to work with biohazardous materials, volatile chemicals.
• Must be willing to work with supernatants, animal and human serum, tissues, body fluids, and lysates of cultured cells.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Job offer is contingent on clear Background Check.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $75,449 - $121,324 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $36.13 - $58.11
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life‑support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in‑person skills assessment; online‑only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well‑Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new