Staff Research Associate II - 141404

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health's Pediatrics Department seeks a Staff Research Associate II to advance high-throughput Next Generation Sequencing projects. You will extract, purify, and analyze DNA/RNA, prepare libraries for PacBio platforms, train others, and help operationalize new technologies while maintaining Lab Information Systems.

Responsibilities also include inventory management, SOP writing, cost analysis, and collaboration with vendors to ensure quality and efficiency in metagenomics and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in biology or related field.
• Experience with DNA/RNA work and sequencing techniques.
• Ability to train others and follow SOPs accurately.
• Strong organizational skills and data management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Extract, purify, and analyze DNA and RNA for NGS workflows.
• Prepare libraries for PacBio platforms and assist with new tech development.
• Maintain inventory, assist with purchases, and document data for LIMS databases.

Skills

DNA/RNA extraction

NGS data analysis

SOPs training

lab safety and protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Python

Job description

Payroll Title

SRA 2 NEX

Department

PEDIATRICS

Hiring Pay Scale

$32.79 - $52.75 / Hour

Worksite

Campus

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

Uncovered

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

Filing Deadline: Tue 9/22/2026

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.

This is a UC San Diego Internal Recruitment open to UCSD and UCSD Health System Staff Only

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 9/17/2026 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 Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 250 Faculty, 127 postdoctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 320 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 68 clinical residents distributed across the Divisions. The missions of research, education and patient care are intertwined, and are integral to the goals of the department.

The Department manages a university-affiliated children's health system with the physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's Hospital, and Rady Children's Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Practice Foundation, unifying pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs.

Under the supervision of the Wet Lab Manager, the Staff Research Associate II (SRA 2 NEX) works with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in a high-throughput laboratory. Duties include but are not limited to extracting, purifying, and analyzing DNA and RNA and preparing libraries for NGS, as well as long-read library preparation for the PacBio platforms. The SRA 2 NEX will also assist with new technology development in support of the research program, including documenting the feasibility and testing of new technologies. The SRA 2 NEX also assists in maintaining new equipment and technologies including Next-Gen Sequencing equipment and liquid handlers.

The incumbent will also assist in project operations, logistics, organization, inventory, purchases, and waste management. Delegates tasks to other SRA’s as needed. Trains SRAs, undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety guidelines. Stays up to date on relevant research and performs literature searches to help guide development of high-throughput projects. Operates, optimizes, and troubleshoots new machinery and protocols. Writes SOPs and creates data reporting tools using Microsoft Office, Python, and other existing bioinformatics tools. Performs cost analysis and coordinating with vendor representatives in order to secure cost-effective purchases. Manages inventory of collected environmental samples, tracks sample locations, and prepares sample metadata files to upload to Laboratory Information System (LIMS) databases.

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 driving 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 and practical knowledge of cellular, molecular and genetic biology, with demonstrated ability to perform independent scientific inquiry as typically attained by a Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal) needed to interact professionally and effectively with stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials and protocols.
• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize work. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Organizational skills to order and maintain lab equipment and supplies.
• Experience with biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, RT-qPCR, DNA/RNA isolation, and sequencing.
• Micropipetting and dilutions experience.
• Knowledge and experience in liquid handling automation and ability to develop validated protocols.
• Ability to implement and troubleshoot protocols developed for high-throughput sequencing pipeline. Experience writing/editing protocols and manuscripts.
• Demonstrated experience with database management of clones/samples, including data entry, manipulation and creation of data reports.
• Experience and/or willingness to work in a BSL2+ laboratory processing SARS-CoV-2 positive wastewater and fecal samples.
• Experience working with computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Experienced in working and maintaining a sterile environment.
• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.
• Computer skills using a Macintosh.
• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.
• Demonstrated ability to follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Experienced in working and maintaining a sterile environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior programming knowledge.
• Prior project management experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Incumbent must be available to work 8AM - 8PM, Monday-Sunday as needed.
• Willing to work in a BSLII laboratory.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $68,466 - $110,142 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $32.79 - $52.75

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 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