Staff Research Associate 2
Job Description
Job Summary:
The lab is looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and organized researcher to assist in research aimed at antigen discovery in various autoimmune and infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system. As part of that effort, we are involved in an exciting study that seeks to understand the beginnings of multiple sclerosis by studying the immune system cells in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of newly diagnosed patients as well as antibody profiles in patients various types of meningitis and encephalitis.
The Staff Research Associate II (SRA II) will assist the lab with processing of human peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples on sophisticated phage immunoprecipitation sequencing protocols to profile anti-viral and autoantibodies only requiring general supervision. In addition, the SRA II will have a comprehensive knowledge of display technologies such as yeast or phage display, and general understanding of protein-antibody interaction.
Patient visit schedules are constantly changing, so some scheduling flexibility and a positive attitude are important. In return, you will receive the opportunity to work with cutting edge technology and a fascinating patient population in a collaborative work environment. We are an innovative, passionate group of researchers and hope to find someone who shares our commitment to the exciting work we are doing.
NEUROLOGY
Throughout the Department of Neurology at UCSF, our mission is to deliver superb patient care, to apply state-of-the-art translational research methods to discover the causes of and treatments for human nervous system disorders, and to educate each generation of medical students, neurology residents and postdoctoral fellows. By fostering cross-disciplinary interactions among scientists around the world, we accelerate the pace of discovery and champion the University's global health initiatives.
% of time | Essential Function (Yes/No) |
Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor) |
| 60 | Yes | Bacteriophage culturing, nucleic acid preparation, next generation sequencing library preparation, database management, sample management, human primary lymphocyte processing. |
| 20 | Yes | Maintain stocks, reagents, laboratory equipment, perform other duties as assigned. |
| 20 | Yes | Perform calculations, compile and summarize data, select methods of presentation, prepare charts, graphs, table, etc, draft report of problems, methods, results and tentative conclusions. Recognize irregularities and invalid results and troubleshoot experiments accordingly. |
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| 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 a related science and knowledge of, or experience with, the techniques or methods required by the position; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Conceptual understanding of basic human physiology and immunology
• Knowledge acquired through school of scientific equipment (centrifuge, pipettes, ultra-low freezers)
• Strong computer skills including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Excellent communication skills
• Flexible schedule – ability to work evenings and weekends
• Meticulous record keeping abilities
• One or more years of recent, directly related work experience following degree completion, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position
• Experience working with human biological samples
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum one or more years of prior experience working with human biological samples
- Minimum one year of prior experience working with molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gel
- electrophoresis, and bacterial cell culture, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting
- Ability to draft routine reports and keep accurate records of work performed
- Actively seeks opportunities to increase skills and expertise
- Able to learn complex tasks with general instruction. Able to use experience to perform a variety of new techniques