Job Description

Filing Deadline: Wed 2/12/2025

This is a part-time 25% limited position with the possibility of extension or conversion to career status.

DESCRIPTION

The position is in a cutting-edge research lab investigating how the brain attends to bodily signals to maintain physiological balance and regulate behavior with a particular focus on the cardiovascular system. Under supervision, the Lab Assistant will provide general lab support including ordering supplies, maintaining common lab equipment, and ensuring lab is clean safe and in compliance with regulations as well as maintaining and genotyping the mouse colony.

Additionally, under supervision, incumbent will assist in experimental procedures such as preparing and performing surgeries using viral delivery to brain and heart regions, optogenetic manipulations, high resolution ultrasonography, behavioral testing in mice, physiological recordings- electrocardiograms (ECGs), electroencephalograms (EEGs), and fluorescence microscopy. Assist with histology and immunochemistry including issue collection, preparation, imagining, and data collection. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or a GED and one year of laboratory experience OR two years of college including courses in the biological sciences; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Relevant experience working with mice in laboratory setting. Must be proficient in handling them. Experience in behavioral studies with rodents preferred.

• Experience in stoichiometry and chemistry for preparation of histological reagents, immunocytochemistry, and laboratory stock solutions. Knowledge of necessary care and precautions for use and storage of antisera, reagents, and for handling of hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals.

• Ability to train lab members on proper methods for storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, biochemicals, hazardous chemicals and biohazardous materials including viral and bacterial preparations and radioisotopes.

• Knowledge/understanding and at least some experience with Safety Data Sheets, hazard communication and Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Familiarity with a Chemical Hygiene Plan addressing safety precautions including appropriate clothing and shoes, safe handling of chemicals, use of protective items. Willingness and ability to keep safety training current and consistent with research involvement.

• Solid computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, email etc. with the ability to independently learn new programs.

• Excellent English verbal and written communications skills, to articulate information on one’s position, plan of action, evaluation or interpretation in a professional, logical, clear, effective, concise, and courteous manner. Skill at negotiating with various personalities and developing an internal and external network of contacts.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and flexibility with the ability and experience to work in a team framework in conjunction with principles of community with staff, faculty and students. Participate and contribute to discussions regarding procedures and goals of department.

• Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of community for a collaborative work environment.

• Experience in managing mouse colonies, including genotyping, crossing and creating and maintaining accurate breeding records.

• Knowledge of animal protocols and experience with animal care procedures, husbandry, anesthesia/analgesia requirements, postoperative care, euthanasia, experimental use records and carcass disposal of UCSD or another accredited institute.

• Familiarity with small rodent surgery including anesthesiology procedures and chemical injections. Excellent experience and ability to perform brain surgeries, including precise and stereotaxic injections of dyes and viruses, and use of different brain atlases for precise injections of tracer compounds. Good hand/eye coordination and surgical skills and knowledge for fine dissection.

• Skills in histology, including perfusion, brain sectioning, immunostaining, routine neurohistology staining (e.g. Nissl and myelin), counterstaining including Giemsa and toluidin blue, labeling enhancement (gold, silver, nickel) and imaging (both epi and confocal).

• Familiar with federal guidelines for Good Laboratory Practices for humane use of animals. AAALAC or AALAS certifications desirable. Knowledge of research animal care protocols and procedures as defined by AAALAC and AALAS, and governmental agencies, and sensitivity to the humane care of animals in research.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Background check required.

• Willing to work with rodents as experimental animals

• Willing to work with viral vectors

• Must have good hand/eye coordination for animal surgery duties, etc.

• Must be willing to work occasional overtime (evening or weekend) based on the needs of the experiments

• This is a part-time 25% limited position with the possibility of extension or conversion to career status.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $45,999 - $54,079 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $22.03 - $25.90

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).

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.

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:

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