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Senior Staff Research Associate - 120820

Job Description


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


UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 12/27/2022 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 12/29/2022. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.


Placement within the salary range is determined by internal equity, relevant qualifications, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

The Senior Laboratory Researcher will independently design and execute experiments to study the mechanism and function of cytoplasmic dynein-1. Specifically, the lab studies cytoplasmic dynein-1 a molecular motor responsible for all cargo transport towards the microtubule minus-end and often mutated in neurodevelopmental and neurological diseases. The senior research associate will use a variety of techniques including tissue culture, proximity-dependent labeling and mass spectrometry, protein purifications, protein reconstitutions combined with total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, and cryo-electron (cryo-EM) microscopy to probe the mechanism of cytoplasmic dynein-1 function.

The Senior Laboratory Researcher will manage and coordinate research efforts with other collaborators both within and outside the laboratory. They will Independently conceive, plan, and conduct research projects based on reviews of scientific literature and recent advances in related fields, organizing and executing all techniques involved. They will contribute novel ideas of major methodological significance to the research projects, design key experiments, and develop new techniques. They will author or co-author scientific journal manuscripts and book chapters. They will direct and advise the work of technicians, students, and post-doctoral fellows to enable them to successfully participate in laboratory projects, as well as present their findings at lab meetings and conferences, and perform other duties as needed. They will participate in other lab activities, including lab safety, training, and mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research technicians. Performs other duties as assigned.

  • Advanced theoretical knowledge of intracellular transport, neurodegenerative diseases, cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology as typically achieved by a college degree, or a equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Strong demonstrated experience in CRISPR-mediated gene-editing and experience in culturing, editing and differentiating human ES and iPS cells.

  • Strong demonstrated experience in live- and fixed-cell imaging using confocal microscopy.

  • Strong demonstrated experience in protein biochemistry and mass spectrometry analysis.

  • Proven experience in designing, coordinating, executing, and analyzing data.

  • Advanced skill in experimental design and adaptation of methods to achieve results. Demonstrated experience in integrating data from multiple sources to synthesize conclusions. Knowledge and ability to read and abstract scientific articles and apply to the design of experiments.

  • Demonstrated experience in the official review of manuscripts for publication in peer-review journals.

  • Experience in providing technical work direction and training of students, post-docs, and technicians.

  • Proven experience and knowledge in developing hypotheses, design experiments, conduct experiments, analyze data, write manuscripts, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals, including all interactions with Reviewers and Editors.

  • Demonstrated experience in working with collaborators in other universities on joint projects, and working under milestones driven projects, including knowledge in writing reports.

  • Strong organizational skills, including experience in laboratory record keeping, budget analysis and managing logistics. Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety rules.

  • Proven experience in contributing and implementing innovative ideas and techniques on complex and multi-disciplinary research projects.

  • Proven ability to read scientific papers and adapt knowledge and techniques from the literature to experimental systems.

  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including tack, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work and interact effectively with staff, researchers, and management in person, on the phone or via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.

  • Knowledge of PC software applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Keynote, Illustrator to produce reports, correspondence, graphs, and spreadsheets to generate, track, and analyze data.

  • Experience in managing the hiring and day-to-day work-flow of volunteers, undergraduate students and research technicians.

  • Prior experience performing research in a lab that studies cytoplasmic dynein-1 a molecular motor responsible for all cargo transport towards the microtubule minus-end and often mutated in neurodevelopmental and neurological diseases.

  • A PhD in a field related to cell biology, biochemistry or neuroscience.

  • Experience with UCSD regulations, policies, and procedures.

  • Experience with UCSD lab safety protocols.

  • Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.
  • Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
  • Must be willing to work with hazardous materials.

Job offer is contingent on successful engagement in the UC COVID-19 Vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral).

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 .

UC San Diego Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://www-hr.ucsd.edu/saa/nondiscr.html

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.


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