Staff Research Associate, Cellular & Molecular Med - 142155

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health Sciences seeks a Staff Research Associate in the Cellular & Molecular Medicine department to conduct multidisciplinary translational and basic research at the wet-lab and computational interface. You will perform experiments, analyze multimodal data, and support ongoing programs while ensuring safety and lab operations.

Responsibilities include leading students and postdocs, coordinating complex projects, and maintaining equipment.

Qualifications

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of bioinformatics as typically attained with an advanced degree (MS or PhD), or an equivalent combination of education experience.
• Experience performing high level experimental tasks.
• Ability to supervise super computer access and operation.
• Experience in coordinated complex projects involving bioinformatics integrating multiple labs.
• Demonstrated superior oral and written communication skills to communicate research results and carry out collaborative projects involving multiple groups.
• Perform single‑cell/single‑nucleus and spatial multiomics workflows (10x Chromium/Visium, snRNA‑seq, snATAC‑seq, multiome) including nuclei isolation, library prep, and QC.
• Good work habits, including ability to comply with attendance policies, reliability in research and in interactions with peers, supervisors, and subordinates.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and to organize a varied workload to meet deadlines despite frequent interruptions.
• Strong knowledge in computational analysis pipelines (PyTorch/TensorFlow, single‑cell integration, foundation‑model workflows) for disease‑state prediction. Analyses involving scRNA/scATAC‑seq, genomes, mutation/deletion, network modeling.
• Knowledge of Cal‑OSHA safety requirements including MSDS's, hazard communication & Injury and Illness Prevention Program; laboratory safety precautions including appropriate clothing and shoes, use of protective items such as gloves and goggles as well as basic first aid procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tasks and priorities to achieve desired goals.
• Ability to use relevant computer software programs to organize data.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision, the SRA will be involved in multidisciplinary translational and basic research at the interface of wet‑lab science and machine intelligence.
• The successful candidate will perform experiments, process and analyze multimodal datasets, and help maintain laboratory operations across active research programs.
• Provide leadership to students, Postdocs, and lower‑level SRAs. Ensure lab safety and maintenance of lab equipment. Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Single-cell workflows

Data analysis

Multiomics

Supercomputer access

Communication skills

Project coordination

Lab safety

Education

MS or PhD in relevant field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Genomics tools

snRNA-seq

Job description

Payroll Title

SRA 3

Department

CELLULAR & MOLECULAR MEDICINE

Hiring Pay Scale

$75,448 - $90,115 / Year

Worksite

La Jolla

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

RX Contract

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 8-Hour Shift, Monday-Friday

#142155 Staff Research Associate, Cellular & Molecular Med

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 11/17/2026 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 16 academic departments (14 clinical, 2 basic sciences), 2 pre-academic/hospital departments, 2 professional schools (School of Medicine and SkaggsSchool 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 41 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.

The multi‑disciplinary lab within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine explores the roles of RNA biology in regenerative medicine and immune system regulation in cancer and host‑pathogen interactions.

Under general supervision, the SRA will be involved in multidisciplinary translational and basic research at the interface of wet‑lab science and machine intelligence. The successful candidate will perform experiments, process and analyze multimodal datasets, and help maintain laboratory operations across active research programs.

Provide leadership to students, Postdocs, and lower‑level SRAs. Ensure lab safety and maintenance of lab equipment. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimim Qualifications

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of bioinformatics as typically attained with an advanced degree (MS or PhD), or an equivalent combination of education experience.
• Experience performing high level experimental tasks.
• Ability to supervise super computer access and operation.
• Experience in coordinated complex projects involving bioinformatics integrating multiple labs.
• Demonstrated superior oral and written communication skills to communicate research results and carry out collaborative projects involving multiple groups.
• Perform single‑cell/single‑nucleus and spatial multiomics workflows (10x Chromium/Visium, snRNA‑seq, snATAC‑seq, multiome) including nuclei isolation, library prep, and QC.
• Good work habits, including ability to comply with attendance policies, reliability in research and in interactions with peers, supervisors, and subordinates.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and to organize a varied workload to meet deadlines despite frequent interruptions.
• Strong knowledge in computational analysis pipelines (PyTorch/TensorFlow, single‑cell integration, foundation‑model workflows) for disease‑state prediction. Analyses involving scRNA/scATAC‑seq, genomes, mutation/deletion, network modeling.
• Knowledge of Cal‑OSHA safety requirements including MSDS's, hazard communication & Injury and Illness Prevention Program; laboratory safety precautions including appropriate clothing and shoes, use of protective items such as gloves and goggles as well as basic first aid procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tasks and priorities to achieve desired goals.
• Ability to use relevant computer software programs to organize data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of UCSD EH&S safety requirements.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Must be willing to work with hazardous materials.

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 drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician‑scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For