Staff Research Associate III - Medicine - 142092

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Staff Research Associate III to manage a university laboratory's daily operations, ensuring tasks and compliance are tracked and completed on schedule. You will coordinate logistics, maintain records, and monitor timelines under PI direction, without setting research aims or leading programs.

The role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and effective communication, with occasional after-hours work to meet deadlines.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of biological science and lab work.
• Experience supporting academic/research lab operations.
• Ability to organize, track, document, and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of laboratory workflows and protocols.
• Experience coordinating administrative or regulatory tasks (IRB/IACUC) and related docs.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and administrative coordination of the laboratory.
• Coordinate logistics, maintain records, track timelines and requirements, and ensure follow-through on operational, regulatory, and project-related tasks.
• Support PI-directed research activities without defining aims or leading programs.
• Other duties as needed.

Skills

Biology knowledge

Laboratory operations

Task organization

Lab workflows

Regulatory coordination

Attention to detail

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological science or related field

Job description

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, the Staff Research Associate III (SRA3) serves as the laboratory manager responsible for the day-to-day operations and administrative coordination of an academic research laboratory. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that laboratory activities, projects, and compliance requirements are organized, tracked, documented, and completed on time so that nothing falls through the cracks.

This position supports PI-directed research activities by managing laboratory operations, coordinating logistics, maintaining records, tracking timelines and requirements, and ensuring follow-through on operational, regulatory, and project-related tasks. The SRA3 does not independently define research aims, lead scientific programs, or represent the laboratory in sponsor-facing decision-making. Other duties assigned as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced theoretical and working knowledge in biological science or related field, as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience supporting laboratory operations in an academic or research environment.

• Demonstrated ability to organize, track, document, and follow through on multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Working knowledge of laboratory workflows sufficient to understand protocols and operational requirements.

• Experience coordinating administrative or regulatory tasks in a research setting.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in a laboratory management or coordination role.
• Familiarity with IACUC, IRB, and EH&S processes.
• Experience maintaining project trackers, documentation systems, or shared records.
• Scientific background sufficient to support laboratory workflows and documentation.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be willing to work with animals under approved protocols.
• Must be willing to work with hazardous materials. Involves laboratory environments with biological materials and hazardous substances and requires completion of required safety training.
• Must be willing to work in laboratory environment requiring use of personal protective equipment and routine physical activity.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to meet operational or project deadlines.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $75,449 - $121,324 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $36.13 - $58.11

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).