Staff Research Associate II, Neurosciences - 142049

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Staff Research Associate II to support neuroscience research under the PI, coordinating daily lab operations, animal colony management, regulatory documentation, and safety oversight. You will perform mouse handling, genotyping, tissue collection, and assist with experimental design and data analysis.

The role requires strong lab skills, independent problem-solving, and the ability to manage documentation and collaborations within a diverse research team at UC

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge in Genetics, Molecular Biology and neuroscience or related field.
• Experience with mouse colony maintenance and genotyping.
• Advanced experience with research design and methodology to meet experimental goals.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking to identify problems and develop solutions.
• Lab management experience including ordering supplies and ensuring safety.
• Experience in designing and troubleshooting experiments.
• Ability to contribute to grant proposals, progress reports, manuscripts and scientific papers.
• Knowledge of mouse genetics and husbandry.
• Experience managing large mouse colonies and designing nesting protocols, kinase assays, and cell fractionation.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint; and graphic tools for figures and charts.
• Meticulous record-keeping and data analysis skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of EH&S regulations and biosafety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day laboratory operations and financial activities.
• Manage mouse colony, animal resources, and reagent needs.
• Maintain regulatory and safety documentation and EH&S compliance.
• Serve as lab and safety manager.
• Conduct technical research activities in neuroscience-related projects.
• Prepare tissues and perform mouse-related procedures.
• Assist in grant proposals, reports, and publications.

Skills

Genetics knowledge

Molecular biology

Neuroscience experience

Research design & methodology

Independent decision making

Lab management & safety

Grant proposal writing & editing

Mouse genetics & husbandry

Large mouse colony management

Kinase assays & lineage analysis

Tissue collection & prep

Data analysis & record keeping

Interpersonal communication

EH&S regulations & biosafety

Microsoft Office & design software (PS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Genetics, Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Access

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 11/5/2026 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

Under general supervision, the Staff Research Associate II works closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) with coordination of day-to-day laboratory operations, including laboratory financial activities, animal colony management, regulatory and safety documentation, controlled substance oversight, laboratory organization, and maintenance of research materials and supplies. Creates and maintains animal research protocols and related documentation and supports Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements to promote compliance with applicable laboratory and animal research standards. Works closely with laboratory members to coordinate animal and reagent needs, maintain efficient use of laboratory resources and space, and support ongoing research activities. In addition to laboratory operations responsibilities, performs technical research activities involving mouse colony maintenance, genotyping, tissue collection and preparation, and other laboratory procedures in support of neuroscience research. Act as lab and safety manager. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge in Genetics, Molecular, Biology and experience in neuroscience, cell signaling or related field as generally acquired through a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Mouse colony maintenance, genotyping, tissue collection and preparation experience.

• Demonstrated advanced experience with research design and methodology to achieve experimental goals including making use of information extracted from scientific papers with ability to work out experimental design problems.

• Proven ability to make independent decisions, analyze situations, solve problems, and initiate actions for effective research. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions

• Demonstrated experience in lab management including overall lab operations, order supplies and lab equipment and act as lab safety manager.

• Demonstrated advanced experience in design and trouble shooting experiments.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively contribute to the writing and editing of grant proposals, progress reports, manuscripts, technical reports and publishable scientific papers.

• Working knowledge of mouse genetics and mouse husbandry.

• Experience managing large mouse colony and in design of mouse nesting protocols, kinase assays, cell fractionation, endosomal purification techniques, quantitative PCR and lineage analysis.

• Demonstrated proficiency in standard computer software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to use Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design to make figures and charts to be used to publications, grants and Power point presentations. Advanced knowledge of Access to design, develop and maintain database for tracking of 300 cage mouse colony, forms, data queries, and backup and management as parameters shift.

• Demonstrated ability to keep meticulous, accurate and well-organized records of experiments and to analyze, interpret, report and record experimental results.

• Strong organizational and time management skills as well as excellent problem-solving and decision making skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and flexibility. Ability to work independently and/or in a team framework in conjunction with principles of community and in a lab environment that interacts with a large and diverse group of research and technical personnel, and other laboratories.

• Excellent communication skills with the proven ability to effectively express verbally or in writing, information on one's position, plan of action, evaluation or interpretation in a professional, logical, clear, effective, concise, and courteous manner.

• Proven knowledge of basic lab safety requirements/procedures; EH&S regulations and methods for handling, clean-up, and waste disposal for biohazardous materials.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $68,430 - $110,078 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $32.77 - $52.72

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).