Junior Specialist/Lab tech
Junior Specialist - UCSF Department of Cell and Tissue Biology – Knox Laboratory Group
School: UCSF School of Dentistry
Department: Cell and Tissue Biology
Rank: Junior Specialist
Salary Step: commensurate with experience and education
Hours: full-time
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 pm (with some flexibility) plus occasional evening and weekends.
Anticipated Start Date: January 2020
Job Description: The Knox lab at the Parnassus campus of UCSF is looking for a Junior Specialist to help in carrying out both wet-lab and dry-lab techniques. The candidate will work closely with the PI and other members of the laboratory and neighboring laboratories to provide experimental, analytical, and organizational support towards our goal of understanding the signaling mechanisms that control glandular development and regeneration after injury. Our studies focus on the mechanisms by which stem cells regenerate tissue after injury (radiation, chemotherapy, mechanical) and how this connects with developmental events. The candidate’s chief responsibilities will revolve around maintaining mouse colonies and mouse husbandry. The mouse model is essential and the foundation to the lab’s research, and therefore the candidates input and work will be tremendously impactful.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with some or all of the following techniques (mouse genetics, cell culture, western blotting, immuno-fluorescence, molecular biology and PCR, microscopy, and statistical hypothesis testing) and familiarity with Fiji, Adobe Illustrator, Nikon Elements, and/or Zeiss software. Candidates should be detail-oriented, capable of working independently and in small groups, and possess excellent organization, analytical, and communication skills. Candidates must be willing and eager to work closely with other faculty and their lab members. Potential exists for motivated candidates to perform independent research and train new lab members. We are looking for a minimum 1 to 2-year commitment. Candidates who are looking for additional experience in a biomedical research laboratory before pursuing graduate education or a career in biotechnology are particularly encouraged to apply.
Additional requirements/desired skills for the Jr. Specialist Role:
- BA/BS degree or equivalent in cell / molecular biology or related sciences and knowledge of, or experience with, the basic techniques or methods required by the position
- Goals to build a career in science - e.g. graduate studies / SRA pipeline
- Willingness to work with mice / previous experience with animal husbandry
- Prior experience in a research laboratory - particularly wet work
- Proficiency with software programs such as Google Sheets / Microsoft
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Team player / collaborative
- Strong organizational skills / ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task, coordinate work tasks with others, and meet multiple deadlines
- Flexible schedule
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of, but not limited to:
- cell / tissue culture techniques
- PCR / genotyping
- basic biochemical techniques (e.g. western blot)
- database maintenance
- general laboratory mathematics
- autoclaving