Staff Research Associate
Job Description
The Staff Research Associate I will assist the Principal Investigator (PI) with neuropathological research focused on Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and related disorders. The SRA I will participate in quantitative neuropathological experiments by performing microtomy, histology, immunohistochemistry, laser capture microdissection, and molecular biological techniques. The position offers an excellent opportunity to further develop basic laboratory and research skills in a dynamic, disease-oriented neuroscience environment.
The successful applicant will be an energetic, self-directed learner with a keen interest in the lab’s research. A two-year commitment is preferred; applicants must commit to at least one year for consideration.
The Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center (MAC) is an internationally renowned clinical research center with a diverse workforce of over 260 full-time employees with offices and clinical research space located in the Sandler Neurosciences Building and multiple other buildings on the UCSF Mission Bay Campus. The Fein MAC provides clinical care for patients suffering from neurodegenerative disease processes; from this clinical population, external referrals, and direct recruitment efforts we enroll patients into more than 50 structured research protocols and/or treatment trials. We are a California Alzheimer’s Research Center and a federal Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
The Fein MAC is the largest division within the Department of Neurology. The Department of Neurology is a teaching, research, and clinical care unit within the School of Medicine (SOM). The Department of Neurology is a large, multi-site department, with locations including Mission Bay, Parnassus, Mt. Zion, ZSFG, VAMC, and the Gladstone Institutes, and is affiliated with the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. The department comprises 14 administrative divisions and 11 clinical specialties. The department has over 230 faculty and academic employees, 290 staff positions, and 170 trainees, including residents, clinical fellows, and postdoctoral scholars.
Our department’s mission includes delivering the most exceptional clinical care to our patients, leading transformative cutting-edge research, and training the leaders of tomorrow in both neurology and neuroscience. Our department’s faculty, trainees, and staff work at a University and in a community that values and embraces diversity and strives to make an impact worldwide through our global and public health efforts.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
% of time | Essential Function (Yes/No) |
Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor) |
30%
| Y | Tissue microtomy, including sectioning or microdissecting brain tissues
|
30% | Y | Performing histological or immunohistochemical stains)
|
30% | Y | Performing molecular biological techniques such as RNA/DNA extraction, FISH, etc.
|
10% | Y | Performing miscellaneous lab duties as assigned
|
100% | (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.) |
Required Qualifications
- BA/BS degree in health-related field or related science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience with microtomy and histology
- Database management (Excel)
- Proven track record of academic success
- Basic laboratory skills
- Proven attention to detail and conscientious follow-through in a multitasking environment
- Working knowledge of neuroanatomy
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with molecular biology