In 2022, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford committed $150 million to the creation of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego. This gift combines current infrastructure with new Centers intended to leverage the advantages of space-based science, including expansion and, in some ways, quite literally launch stem cell research and regenerative medicine at UC San Diego into new spaces, endeavors, and training of future stem cell scientists.

Sanford Stem Cell Institute provides essential physical and human resources needed to leverage stem cell research currently being conducted at UC San Diego. Due to the complexity of regenerative medicine projects and substantial institutional investment, daily Sanford Stem Cell Institute personnel work with all 9 Vice Chancellor areas: Academic Affairs; Research Affairs; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Student Affairs; Marine Sciences; Health Sciences; Health System; Chief Financial Officer; Advancement; Resource Management and Planning.

As part of UC San Diego, Sanford Stem Cell Institute motivates University-wide change, sustainability, and partnership, focusing on creating the structure under which various innovative regenerative medicine units and initiatives are developed.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute builds upon a $100 million gift in 2013 from T. Denny Sanford that established UC San Diego as a leader in developing and delivering the therapeutic promise of human stem cells - special cells with the ability to develop into many different cell types and which, when modified and repurposed, have the potential to treat, remedy or cure a vast array of conditions and diseases.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute includes six (6) stem cell Centers led by Center Directors and Deputy Directors.

1. Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) Center, for stem cell research that will be conducted in a laboratory bay located aboard the International Space Station currently in low-Earth orbit.

2. Sanford Stem Cell Fitness and Space Medicine Center, which conducts in-depth space fitness and orbital medicine that can benefit both astronauts and people living on Earth.

3. Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center, which will support regenerative medicine company development, including contract research in low-Earth orbit.

4. Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, which conducts basic and translational stem cell research.

5. Sanford Advanced Therapy Center, which provides fundamental tools and services to move basic research findings to next stages, such as early phase trials.

6. Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, which conducts research to accelerate relevant drug and therapy development in regenerative medicine, including clinical trials.

Under supervision, the Research Associate will assist with and perform standard laboratory procedures with Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) and neuronal precursor cells (NPCs) and other experimental procedures. Incumbent will assist PI's and other lab members with studies. Studies will include 1) General growth and maintenance of stem cell lines, 2) Gene manipulation of these stem cells with silencing or overexpression constructs, 3) Characterization of resultant phenotypes, and 4) Molecular biology techniques to isolate RNA and quantify gene expression, and in particular chimeric microRNA eCLIP. Incumbent will also develop image processing computational algorithms and pipelines to aid in the analysis of measured phenotypes, as well as contribute to and maintain existing software tools that assist lab members with studies.

Procedures will include molecular biology (generation of transgene constructs, PCR and RNA isolation) and light microscopy of embryonic and neuronal cell lines as well as basic molecular and cellular biology techniques (cell transfection, genomic screening, cloning, gene expression, immunocytochemistry, tissue culture and maintenance of biochemistry equipment). Perform tissue culture of primary cells, preparation of lentiviruses and viral infection techniques. Assist with performing routine biology and biology techniques. Furthermore, work will include software programming and development of high performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Other tasks as required by the supervisor and project scientists. Incumbent will also be involved with general lab organization procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Theoretical and/or practical knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, immunology, stem cell or related field.

• Ability to work with confocal, light, and fluorescence microscopes.

• Ability to perform molecular biology techniques including PCR, DNA preparation/extraction, gel electrophoresis.

• Capable of performing biochemistry and laboratory techniques and demonstrated experience to prepare buffers and solutions, as well as various staining solutions.

• Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as Access, MS Word and Excel.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other staff members, students, faculty and scientists in a multi-cultural lab.

• Experience with general lab maintenance including cleaning, stocking supplies.

• Willing to comply to UCSD policies and procedures and to stay informed and comply with basic safety rules and issues.

• Skill and ability to keep accurate data. Ability to read, comprehend, and discuss research materials.

• Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines.

• Knowledge of programming in Python and other machine learning libraries such as OpenCV and CellPose.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Willingness to work with animals, lentivirus, radioactive material, human tissue and standard hazardous laboratory compounds.

• Willing to work evenings and weekends when necessary.