This job has Expired

Stem Cell Research Associate - 120644

Job Description


UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 12/15/2022 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 12/27/2022. 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).

UCSD Health Sciences is a $1 billion dollar plus organization encompassing 17 academic departments (15 clinical, 2 basic sciences), 2 preacademic/hospital departments, 2 professional schools (School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2 hospitals, and various other programs and units all dedicated towards fulfilling the Health Sciences missions. The UCSD Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) is one of two basic science units in the School of Medicine where world-class researchers study fundamental cellular processes and pathways using a variety of techniques from classical genetics and fluorescence microscopy to high throughput genomics, systems biology, and crystallography. Our 37 faculty and over 200 postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and research staff work on the cutting edge of biology, cutting across fields from basic biochemistry and genetics to genomics, systems biology and stem cell biology. The faculty also play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars. The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically advanced, and deeply interested individuals who are ready to become a part of our dynamic research and educational environment.

The Institute for Network Medicine [www.inetmed.ucsd.edu] unites several research disciplines to develop disruptive solutions, transform life sciences, and technology and enhance the quality of human life. Founded in Mar of 2018, iNetMed houses three centers, which are collaboratively developing new, human-centered approaches to drug discovery and technological innovation. These positions are geared towards "human centered drug discovery:.

Human-Centered Drug Discovery: The world’s drug discovery machinery has a tragic paradox. Academic labs, pharmaceutical companies and biotechs have better tools than ever before: supercomputers, genomic sequencers, PCR. Despite these incredible technologies, the drug discovery success rate is lower now than it was in the 1970s. There are two reasons for this: First, the era of ‘big data’ has not been translated into effective drugs, as was initially expected. Second, current approaches for target discovery rely far too much on inbred animal models (mice, rats, etc.), and drugs that work wonders in these animals. These pre-clinical studies fail far too often, then too late in clinical trials, making the process wasteful and imprecise. To overcome these challenges, iNetMed’s two Centers, the Center for Precision Computational System Network (PreCSN) and HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence (CoRE) are working collaboratively to provide an end-to-end new paradigm and platform for drug discovery that begins with target identification (at PreCSN) and ends with target validation in human disease models (at HUMANOID).

The Incumbent will mostly work within the UC San Diego HUMANOID CoRE (humanoid.ucsd.edu), an organoid-based research core that strives to build disease models for testing therapeutics.

Under close supervision, assist in performing standard laboratory procedures with adult human stem cells and primary cells, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), as well as other experimental procedures. Perform a number of standard repetitive laboratory procedures with stem cells, primary cell lines and immortalized cell lines, as needed, with the intent to build disease models that will aid in drug discovery for grand challenges in human diseases that are still without cure.

Use basic molecular biology and microscopy techniques to assist in conducting a number of experimental procedures. The research associate will use microscopes, high content imaging, plate-readers, flow cytometers, cell fractionarors, isolators, microfluidic chambers, and available robotics to assay effects of small molecules on stem cells and organoids grown from stem cells will be necessary. The incumbent will assist in performing standard experimental protocols in tissue culture to meet the needs of the research projects, providing ideas and rationale to help improve tests that are unsatisfactory.

Perform general lab duties including ordering supplies and equipment repair.

With appropriate guidance, the incumbent will edit and maintain database of human tissue and organoids in the HUMANOID biorepository, maintain up-to-date clinic IRBs (Consent forms and IRB protocols), and serve as runner if needed to secure patient-derived tissues from clinics and bring them to the HUMANOID for organoid isolation. The incumbent is expected to have a portion of his effort devoted to pre-clinical animal models of disease and, for that reason, is expected to handle animals for breeding and experimentation and maintain up-to-date IACUC protocols for animal studies. For these tasks, the incumbent will need to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software programs and computers. Must be willing to drive/access public transportation as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.

  • Theoretical knowledge of molecular and cellular biology or closely related field as typically acquired at a collegiate level or equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Working knowledge of DNA techniques.

  • Lab experience, knowledge and understanding of sterile techniques and mammalian cell culture practices. Knowledge and experience with numerous types of laboratory equipment related to uses, maintenance, and repair. Ability to learn new laboratory procedures quickly.

  • Knowledge of small molecule library screening and robotics.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of various computer software, hardware, standard office equipment and lab equipment.

  • Acute attention to detail, resourceful, capable of handling the changing needs of the research lab.

  • Working knowledge of or experience in bacteriology and bacteria cell competency.

  • Ability to use mathematical skills to analyze and develop statistical data.

  • Knowledge of or experience in sterile cell culture techniques for culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and other mammalian cells.

  • Knowledge of or experience performing repetitive and specialized laboratory experimental procedures. Experience following experimental protocols.

  • Strong organization skills. Attention to detail; self motivated. Ability to learn quickly and adopt lessons from one learning episode to similar situations. Ability to perform a variety of tasks in an extremely fast-paced environment. Use of good judgement relating to constantly changing priorities. Ability to work as part of a large, diverse group.

  • Experience using microscopy to perform experiments.
  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

  • Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

  • Work in environment where biological (including infectious agents and blood bourne pathogens) and chemical hazards are present. Research on the human adult and embryonic stem cell. Lentiviral cultures are used.


Pay Transparency Act Full Salary Range: $51,949 - $61,972 Annually

The University of California, San Diego is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is defined as the Full Pay Range. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position defined as the Expected Pay Scale. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity, relevant qualifications, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).


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.


*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

Apply Now

Be Seen By Recruiters at the
Best Institutions

Create Your FREE Profile Now!