DESCRIPTION

The Department of Medicine (DOM) is the largest department within the UC San Diego School of Medicine (SOM) and is responsible for fulfilling its teaching, research, and clinical missions. DOM employs approximately 500 salaried faculty, nearly 200 academic appointees, and more than 300 residents, fellows, and postdocs, supported by almost 1,000 staff members.

Under supervision, incumbent will assist in basic laboratory duties including answering telephones, maintaining the inventory of equipment and ordering of supplies, receiving orders, will assist the PIs and technicians in setting up routine experiments and at mobile pop-up clinics. The lab assistant will assist the PI and project coordinator with associated laboratory grants, IRBs, and research support, including maintaining PIs busy appointment calendar. Research tasks include maintaining orderly files for inventory invoices, service agreements, and maintaining inventory of supplies. Under close supervision, incumbent will handle other laboratory tasks including maintaining an accurate laboratory notebook, detailed inventory of research activities, ordering supplies, maintain a clean working area, minor equipment maintenance, and other lab tasks as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or a GED and one (1) year of laboratory experience or two (2) years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

• Strong knowledge of data management and ability to work with large datasets.

• Demonstrated ability to organize calendar events for a highly productive schedule.

• Demonstrated ability to work within important deadlines in a busy work environment.

• Strong computer proficiency to include software applications such as MS Word, and Excel.

• Knowledge of laboratory safety and regulatory procedures.

• Proven knowledge of proper decontamination of work areas and proper laboratory attire.

• Ability to communicate clearly and to keep organized, neat, and accurate laboratory records and notebooks. Effectively and accurately document research procedures. Ability to read, comprehend, and discuss research materials.

• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles. Ability to work with a variety of personnel from different laboratories.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of biosafety techniques and practices.
• Familiarity with processing blood, CSF, cultured cells and their supernatants infected with HIV and other human retroviruses.
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques including HIV viral load assays, DNA/RNA extraction and purification, cDNA synthesis, polymerase chain reactions, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing.
• Previous experience working in a laboratory or research setting.
• Knowledge of PCR/QPCR.
• Basic understanding in the operation of scientific and experimental laboratory equipment necessary for laboratory operation. This includes hand pipettors, pipetmans, pH meters, Mettler analytical and top-loading balances, plate washers, plate readers, agarose gel apparatus, thermocyclers, incubators, and various types of centrifuges.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Must be willing to work with hazardous materials (i.e., vaccines).
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet deadlines.