Staff Research Associate I - Pediatrics - 140898

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

Job summary

UC San Diego's Knight lab seeks a skilled candidate to join a ~50-person team working on microbiome technologies, sequencing workflows, and bioinformatics; the role supports high-throughput pipelines and safe lab practices.

Responsibilities include following established protocols, performing DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and data handling; shift is 9 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday with occasional weekends.

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge of human genetics and molecular biology.
• Experience with PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, RT-PCR, DNA/RNA isolation in the past 2 years.
• Ability to follow EH&S requirements and work in a sterile environment.

Responsibilities

• Follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements.
• Work and maintain a sterile laboratory environment.
• Assist high-throughput sequencing workflows and data handling.

Skills

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

Sequence analysis

RT-PCR

DNA/RNA isolation

Sterile technique

Micropipetting

Liquid handling automation

NGS

Validated protocols

Tools

Macintosh

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 8/17/2026 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

The Knight lab consists of a team of ~50 highly skilled researchers, students and technicians, with an annual operating budget of ~$3 million derived from a mixture of federal and non-federal sources including Knight's NIH Pioneer Award and the campus Return to Learn COVID-19 program. Most of the lab's work focuses on technologies for reading out microbial communities, including laboratory procedures for next- generation sequencing and bioinformatics software development. This includes applications in the human microbiome and child development, conservation, environmental monitoring and management, and biofuels. The Knight lab is widely regarded as a leader in the microbiome field, publishing regularly in top journals including Science, Nature, Cell, and PNAS, and publishing dozens of journal articles per year overall. The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with ~200 faculty, an annual budget of >$100 million, and unified pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs, including a university- affiliated children's health system to serve the region. The Department is recognized as having global leaders in research, technology, translational medicine, education and clinical excellence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of basic human genetics and molecular biology.
• Experience with biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, RT-PCR, DNA/RNA isolation within the past 2 years.
• Demonstrated ability to follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Experienced in working and maintaining a sterile environment.
• Micropipetting and dilutions experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of liquid handling automation and ability to use validated protocols.
• Demonstrated knowledge of next generation sequencing for high throughput pipeline. Ability to perform validated protocols.
• Ability to implement and troubleshoot protocols developed for high throughput sequencing pipeline.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience writing/editing protocols and manuscripts.
• Computers skills using a Macintosh.
• Demonstrated experience with database management of clones/samples, including data entry, manipulation and creation of data reports.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Incumbent must be available to work 9AM - 7PM, Monday-Friday and on occasional weekends.
• Willing to work in a laboratory that collects, processes, stores, and assays biohazardous body fluids.

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).