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Research Associate - 121976

Job Description


UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 03/10/2023 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 03/22/2023. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.


The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 250 Faculty, 127 postdoctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 320 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 68 clinical residents distributed across the Divisions. The missions of research, education and patient care are intertwined, and are integral to the goals of the department.

The Department has undergone significant growth in recent years with a consolidated budget of approximately $183 million including sponsored projects expenditures and clinical revenue. Expansion of the Department’s research and clinical portfolio is expected to continue in the next few years.

The Department’s 16 divisions include Academic General Pediatrics, Child Development & Community Health; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology; Cardiology; Dysmorphology; Emergency Medicine; Endocrinology; Gastroenterology; Genetics; Genome Information Sciences; Hospital Medicine; Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics; Infectious Diseases; Neonatology; Nephrology; and Respiratory Medicine.

In 2001, physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's, and Children's Specialists of San Diego (CSSD) unified pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs, creating a university-affiliated children's health system to serve the region. Over the past two decades, an extensive list of joint programs has developed, with many physicians and researchers playing a role at both institutions.

This affiliation has consolidated the clinical, teaching, research and public service programs of the UCSD School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics with San Diego's only health care system dedicated to the health and well-being of children. In 2009, this partnership was furthered by the creation of Rady Children’s Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Foundation, and is now recognized as having global leaders in research, technology, translational medicine, education and clinical excellence.

Under the general supervision of academic supervisor, the incumbent will manage several aspects of the research laboratory and conduct independent research projects studying the effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). The candidate is expected to ensure smooth and safe functioning of the laboratory, as well as make significant innovative contributions pertaining to the design and overall direction of research projects and propose possible changes or new directions when appropriate. Develops and maintains inventory of reagents, biological samples and analytical datasets. Develops and maintains standard operating procedures and method protocols. Provides work direction and teach laboratory procedures to undergraduate students and graduate students, and assist postdoctoral scholars. Directs and supervises the work of laboratory technicians. Performs general laboratory maintenance and assists with equipment maintenance. Reads and abstracts relevant scientific articles, finding new sources of information. Participates in the preparation of manuscripts and scientific articles suitable for publication in scientific journals, including editing technical sections of manuscripts. Performs data analysis, including statistical analysis, using computerized methods. Performs other duties as assigned.

  • Theoretical knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, glycobiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, signal transduction, and animal physiology typically gained by an advanced scientific degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • In depth experience and knowledge in animal husbandry, injection, isolation of tissues and relevant cell types and analysis of plasma lipids and cytokines.

  • Proven experience with the following: cell culture, glycan labeling, chromatography, and glycan analysis.

  • Extensive demonstrated experience in ELISA (single and multiplex).

  • Knowledge of regulations of biohazard facilities and biological and chemical material handling.

  • Skills in use of computer for data analysis. Ability to do inventory, interpret and present data, train lab employees and students.

  • Demonstrated experience in designing, performing and analyzing research projects under minimal supervision. Experience in recognizing problems during a research project and quickly solving these problems with minimal input from PI. Ability to follow protocols, learn new techniques and interact with others.

  • Ability to present data in a clear and concise manner. Excellent written (using correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation), verbal and interpersonal communication skills including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work effectively with staff, study participants, and community agencies in person and on the phone.

  • Demonstrated experience with the use of general and special laboratory equipment such as fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), multiplex ELISAs, freeze dryer and speedvac, rotaevaporator, centrifuges, microscopes, cell culture incubator, sterile biosafety hoods, autoclaves, fume hoods, pH meter, spectrophotometers, balances, pipetters, and thermal cycler.

  • Experience with laboratory management duties and training research staff in a variety of research procedures.

  • Experience using R, SPSS, Excel spreadsheets, Prism and other relevant software to analyze and present data from experimental results.

  • Demonstrated experience with animal procedures.

  • Demonstrated ability to integrate data from multiple sources to synthesize conclusions. Experience in reading and abstracting scientific articles and applying to the design of experiments. Proven ability to read, comprehend, and discuss research materials.

  • Knowledge of UC ordering system.

  • Patience, knowledge and experience to teach principal laboratory operations, theories, molecular biology techniques, tissue culture operations and techniques, and laboratory safety procedures and policies to students and new lab members.

  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

  • Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekend days, as required.

  • Must be willing and able to work with animals and biohazardous materials.


Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $62,324 - $100,220 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $29.85 - $48.00

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).


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.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.


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