Part-time staff research associate

The Sil lab at UCSF has a Staff Research Associate opportunity. Under direct supervision and training, the Staff Research Associate will be responsible for laboratory research duties. This position will be involved in experiments including fungal culture, mammalian cell culture, macrophage infections, microscopy, molecular biology, gene expression analysis, mammalian cell transfections, immunoprecipitations, protein gels, Western blotting; and perform other duties such as lab ordering/organization.

We are looking for a candidate excited about molecular genetic approaches, is eager to learn and comfortable with mechanistic thinking. The candidate will work with a team of scientists to help design, optimize, and perform experiments with the fungal pathogens. General lab managerial tasks such as cataloging and ordering reagents are part of the position, and other duties as assigned. In addition, independent research projects are available separate from the above describe duties. The Sil lab is a highly collaborative space that is pushing the cutting edge of host-pathogen biology.

Department Overview:

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) is a basic science department within the School of Medicine that performs scientific research, training and teaching at both the Mission Bay and Parnassus Heights campuses. It is also the home department for the multidisciplinary UCSF Immunology Program and Microbial Pathogenesis Program. The fields of Microbiology and Immunology encompass many aspects of human health, and a goal of our research is to further the basic understanding of microbes and the immune system, as well as translate this knowledge into improvement of human health. Research in the department focuses on areas related to infectious diseases, immunology, and cancer. There are 18 full-time faculty members in the department. Our department also provides advanced research training to more than 100 Postdoctoral Fellows. Graduate students working towards their Ph.D. degree are enrolled in the Herbert W. Boyer Program in Biological Sciences (PIBS) or the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Programs, depending on their research emphasis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

% of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor)

• 70 yes Under direct supervision and training, perform fungal culture and transformation, nucleic acid preparation, cloning, genetic screen, Western blotting, mammalian cell culture and transfection, infections, immunoprecipitations, protein expression and purification, protein gels, DNA gels
• 10 yes Maintain stocks, reagents, laboratory equipment, perform other duties as assigned
• 20 yes Lab coordination: coordinate operation of lab, organization strain databases, regulatory compliance, equipment repair, shipment of biological material. Perform calculations, compile and summarize data, select methods of presentation, prepare charts, graphs, table, etc., draft report of problems, methods, results and tentative conclusions. Recognize irregularities and invalid results and troubleshoot accordingly.

100%

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS in a related science and knowledge of, or experience with, the basic techniques or methods required by the position; or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently and take initiative in designing experiments and solving problems; communication and organizational skills; attention to detail; ability to multitask effectively; excellent demonstrated record of accomplishment; ability to adhere to all campus safety policies.
• Knowledge of basic mammalian cell biology processes such as protein trafficking, transcription, translation
• Able to perform standard microbiological techniques such as fungal culturing.