Staff Research Associate I - Pediatrics - 140898

San Diego Supercomputer Center; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health seeks a Staff Research Associate I in Pediatrics to assist with DNA/RNA extraction and analysis for Next-Gen Sequencing within a dynamic lab environment. You will support technology development, validate new protocols, and help maintain sequencing equipment to advance pediatric microbiome research.

The role requires reading and following EH&S guidelines, capable of working in a sterile lab, and frequent collaboration with a team of researchers and technicians.

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.

Responsibilities

• Assist in extracting, purifying, and analyzing DNA and RNA for Next-Gen Sequencing.
• Support new technology development and test feasibility of emerging methods.
• Maintain sequencing equipment and ensure compliance with protocols.

Skills

Genetics knowledge

Molecular biology

PCR and gel electrophoresis

RT-PCR and DNA/RNA isolation

Liquid handling automation

Next-generation sequencing

Protocol troubleshooting

Tools

Macintosh

Job description

#140898 Staff Research Associate I - Pediatrics

• Payroll Title: SRA 1
• Department: PEDIATRICS
• Hiring Pay Scale: $30.12 - $35.93 / Hour
• Worksite: La Jolla
• Appointment Type: Career
• Appointment Percent: 100%
• Union: RX Contract
• Total Openings: 3
• Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday
• Extended Deadline: Fri 11/13/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds.

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.

Under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager, the Staff Research Associate 1 (SRA 1) assists with extracting, purifying, and analyzing DNA and RNA for Next-Gen Sequencing, and with new technology development in support of the research program, including documenting the feasibility of new technologies and testing of new technologies. The SRA 1 also assists in maintaining new equipment and technologies including Next Gen sequencing equipment.

Microbiome science is one of the most exciting areas of research today, with discoveries daily pushing the boundaries of what we know about human health and the environment. The incumbent will assist with pushing this research forward focusing on DNA and RNA sequencing from complex microbial communities (metagenomics and metatranscriptomics). The incumbent will assist with high-impact projects that seek to understand how the microbiome contributes to human traits ranging from response to diet to mental health, the roles of microbes in environments ranging from oceans to soils, and the connections between. Performs other duties as assigned.

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.

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!

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 is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

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

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

• "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