Job Description

Payroll Title:
SRA 1
Department:
CANCER CENTER/Solid Tumor Therapeutics
Hiring Pay Scale
$26.52 - $31.64 / Hour
Worksite:
Moores Cancer Center
Appointment Type:
Career
Appointment Percent:
100%
Union:
RX Contract
Total Openings:
1
Work Schedule:
Days, 8 hrs/day, Monday-Friday

#133431 Research Assistant

Filing Deadline: Wed 12/11/2024

UC San Diego values equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 12/04/2024 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 12/11/2024. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The Moores Cancer Center (MCC) is one of just 57 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States and the only one in San Diego County. As a consortium cancer center, it is a collaborative partnership between the UCSD: encompassing 28 departments, 6 schools (School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Biological Sciences & the School of Physical Sciences), UCSD Health oncology hospitals and clinics; the basic and public health research and outreach of San Diego State University (SDSU), and the basic and translational research of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJI). These various programs and units are all dedicated to fulfilling the Moores Cancer Center's mission of reducing cancer's burden. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting the continuum of cancer research, providing advanced patient care, and serving the community through outreach and education programs. As a top-ranking, future-oriented organization, we offer challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment. Moores Cancer Center follows a progressive philosophy of career-path development for its employees including opportunities for cross-training, professional development, and progressive responsibility.

MCC's mission is to transform cancer care in our catchment area and beyond by driving exceptional scientific discoveries and innovations in prevention, detection, care, and training. MCC will make a global impact on improving health by reducing cancer burden through accelerated discovery and translation, compassionate and interdisciplinary care, education and community engagement, with the foundation of our core values - Excellence, Innovation and Risk-Taking, Collaboration, Diversity and Service.

Under supervision, assist with experiments related the development of novel cancer therapeutics. Primary functions include: maintaining tissue culture cell lines; production of proteins in mammalian cell lines; purification and characterization of recombinant proteins using multiple chromatographic and HPLC systems; testing the activity of new cancer drugs in vitro and in in vivo in murine tumor models; PCR, DNA cloning and construction of expression vectors. Additional functions include assisting with biochemical, cell biological, fluorescent microscopic and molecular pharmacology experiments; maintaining laboratory equipment and providing support for general laboratory operations; and training of students and other lab members. Other duties assigned as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Theoretical knowledge of molecular biology, immunology, cell biology, and/or biochemistry.

  • Ability and willingness to handle and work with small animals. Ability to assist in performing mouse injections, anesthesia, blood and tissue collection, and euthanizing.

  • Experience with basic bacterial and tissue culture techniques and maintenance of sterility.

  • Ability to perform basic molecular biology techniques including DNA and RNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, and plasmid preparation.

  • Familiarity with basic chemistry techniques including calculation of drug concentrations, preparation of buffers.

  • Familiarity with basic laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, spectrophotometers, balances, pH meters, autoclaves and electrophoresis equipment.

  • Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize work, and ability to read, understand and extract information from published medical, chemical and biological literature. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

  • Proficiency in the use of applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, PRISM, PUBMED and internet search tools

  • Familiarity with proper handling of chemical and biohazardous materials. Ability to follow UCSD Safety and Hazardous Materials guidelines. Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials. Understanding of safety procedures and guidelines.

  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Ability to work professionally and harmoniously with others in an integrated project. Skill at prioritizing work to meet all deadlines and accurately document research procedures.

  • Ability to follow standard research protocols and to assist with solving research and methodological problems. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles. Absolute honesty regarding conduct of experiments and data.

  • Ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials and prepare accurate and complete research reports.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with the operation of HPLC equipment using reverse-phase and SEC columns and techniques.

  • Experience with DNA cloning techniques and the construction of expression vectors.

  • Experience with the production and purification of recombinant proteins in bacterial and mammalian cells.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

  • Must be willing and able to work with hazardous materials (biological and chemical).

  • Must be available to work some long days and weekend hours if needed.

  • Must be willing and able to work with small animals.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $55,374 - $66,064 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $26.52 - $31.64

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).


If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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 is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

Application Instructions

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