Staff Research Associate I - 141573

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences seeks a Staff Research Associate I to assist with sample preparation for cell sorting and binding studies on cell surfaces. You will support protocols spanning protein expression, purification, and analysis, contributing to drug discovery projects.

The role emphasizes meticulous record-keeping, communication with diverse teams, and adaptability to evolving research needs, including potentially working nights or weekends as

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge of chemistry or related field or equivalent education/experience.
• Ability to perform basic analytical chemistry lab experiments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced research lab with deadlines for proposals, manuscripts, and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior researchers with preparing samples for cell sorting.
• Support selection of nanobody binders on cell surfaces of mammalian or other cells.
• Maintain detailed records of procedures, results, and evaluations.

Skills

Chemistry background

Analytical lab skills

Communication skills

Record keeping

Equipment operation

Education

Chemistry or related field degree

Tools

Cell sorting

Protein purification

X-ray crystallography

SPR data analysis

Job description

#141573 Staff Research Associate I

Filing Deadline: Thu 10/8/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is growing in the diverse areas of professional educational programs, cutting-edge research, and pharmacy services. Research areas specific to this position posting include the spectrum of drug development, drug discovery, pharmacology in disease models, toxicology, drug delivery, and pharmacy practices including pharmacoeconomics, pharmacogenomics, and health systems. The school is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

Under supervision, the Staff Research Associate I assist senior researchers with preparing samples for cell sorting and selection of nanobody binders selected on the cell surface of mammalian or other cell types. We have developed protocols in the laboratory for sorting bacteria as well as yeast and mammalian cells and analyzing binding affinities/specificities of surface‑expressed antibodies using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and cell analyzer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of chemistry or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to perform basic analytical chemistry lab experiments such as preparation of solutions and reagents according to research project needs.
• Skill in working in a fast‑paced research laboratory with deadlines for research results for grant proposals, manuscripts, and presentations at scientific meetings.
• Communication skills to communicate in person, by phone, and in writing to diverse groups of persons who are laboratory staff, students, administrative staff, and academic faculty.
• Ability to maintain inventories of laboratory reagents, solvents, glassware, and related items.
• Ability to use computer software for large equipment, internet, word processing, scientific graphics, literature searches, and drawing chemical structures.
• Ability to learn new analytical chemical techniques and adapt them to ongoing research projects.
• Ability to provide oral presentation and explanation of research methods and results.
• Ability to keep detailed and understandable records of experimental procedures, results, and evaluation of research results.
• Ability to organize experiments with controls to make progress on several related projects.
• Ability to make improvements on existing procedures that require trouble‑shooting.
• Proven hands‑on experience with recombinant protein expression, microbial culture, large‑scale fermentation, cell lysis, protein purification, biochemical characterization, protein crystallization, crystal optimization, X‑ray diffraction data collection, and crystallographic analysis.
• Must have a prior knowledge in cell sorting and analysis as well as protein purification for antibody production and testing.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Willing to work some nights and weekends, depending on research need.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $62,891 - $75,022 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $30.12 - $35.93

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 more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace