DESCRIPTION

The School of MedicineThe UCSD School of Medicine is one of the nation’s most prestigious medical schools and a preeminent institution for education, biomedical research, and clinical care. The School of Medicine’s faculty of 1,400 physicians and researchers are consistently ranked in the top two nationally in research funding per faculty member. UC San Diego Health Sciences encompasses the School of Medicine, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and UCSD Medical Center. As a top-tier academic medical center, its role is to provide leadership in improving health through research, education and patient care. UC San Diego Health Sciences has long been at the forefront of "bench-to-bedside" research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies.

Facility/EnvironmentThe Zarrinpar laboratory is located in the new and beautifully built Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) at UCSD. The laboratory environment consists of over 3500 ft2 of contiguous space and includes new state of the art laboratory resources; benches, common equipment, tissue culture rooms, cold room, and procedure rooms. The open lab structure of ACTRI fosters constant scientific exchange among some of the most talented researchers. The floor is shared with Alan Saltiel, a world-renowned diabetes and obesity expert and the Director of the Institute for Diabetes and Metabolic Health (IDMH), and the laboratory collaborates closely with Rob Knight, Director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation.

The Zarrinpar laboratory is part of the IDMH, as well as the Center for Human Nutrition, Center for Microbiome Innovation, UCSD Clinical and Translational Research Institute (CTRI), Moores Cancer Center, and UCSD Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center (DERC). All of this provides a rich and diverse environment which allows for great innovative discovery.

Incumbent will work as Staff Research Associate in the laboratory of Amir Zarrinpar, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine, which studies how gut physiology and the gut microbiota interact to cause metabolic disorders, like diabetes, obesity, or atherosclerosis (heart disease). The gut microbiota play important roles in both normal physiological processes and pathological conditions as varied as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. The aim is to understand what the microbes do to drive these conditions. In addition to the gut microbiome, the lab studies which factors in the intestinal lumen and gut gene expression are important for an animal’s metabolism. The lab performs experiments to help determine what the gut microbiome, and intestinal signaling, are doing to protect against ailments or to worsen disease.

Under supervision, assist staff personnel with performing studies on human and rodent samples from multiple projects, using standard protocol for RNA/DNA isolation, ELISAs and multiplex assays, PCR/q-PCR/qRT-PCR, preparing RNA and DNA libraries for next generation sequencing, and protocols for histology and immunohistochemistry. Assist with in vivo and in vitro microbiome/microbiology studies performing routine protocols using sterile technique, making solid media plates, collecting and culturing stool samples, and bacterial colony counting. Assist with maintaining mouse colony for breeding for the lab and genotyping transgenic mice. Assist with lab maintenance, ordering and maintaining supplies, and equipment. Prepare buffers and solutions as needed. Assist with laboratory environmental health and safety activities, including, chemical waste and biological waste disposal.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Microbiology, or a related field.

• Experience performing scientific experiments with mice and/or mice tissue.

• Experience with basic laboratory equipment such as pipetting devices, centrifuges, electrophoresis equipment, balances, pH meters, spectrophotometers, dishwashers, and autoclaves, which include experience in performing mathematical calculations including computing molarities, dilutions, etc. Skill, ability and willingness to learn new laboratory techniques and use of new lab equipment rapidly and as needed.

• Enthusiasm for learning and genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles. Ability to take direction, be detail-oriented and follow step-wise instruction.

• Excellent organizational skills including ability to keep clear and accurate records, organize a varied workload, and give oral presentations on the progress of research.

• Ability to work independently or collaboratively on a research project. Ability to maintain a high level of motivation to contribute to cutting edge research, and seek and learn new experimental methods as required.

• Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA/RNA purification, gel electrophoresis, protein isolation) with the ability to carry out a variety of technical procedures with minimal instruction or supervision.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience maintaining mouse colonies and genotyping mice for the lab including maintenance of transgenic lines and knowledge of humane methods of caring for lab animals. Sensitivity to the needs of laboratory animals in compliance to AAALAC standards.
• Experience performing metabolic experiments in mice including performing glucose and insulin tolerance tests, genotyping, submandibular bleeds, tail bleeds, oral gavage, intraperitoneal injections, subcutaneous injections, proper euthanasia techniques, animal dissection and organ harvesting, and using available equipment for body composition assessment.
• Experience in preparing multiplex immunoassays and using multiplex systems.
• Experience with bacteriological techniques, aseptic handling of bacteria, and maintaining a contamination free laboratory environment.
• Experience with bacterial transformation, transduction, and/or conjugation.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Must be willing to work with mice as an experimental model.
• Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends (for circadian experiments).
• Must be willing to work with biohazardous material including bacteria and samples from mice and humans.