Research Assistant - 121186

The Department of Medicine is the largest department within the UCSD School of Medicine and is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

Under supervision from Principal Investigator, the incumbent will assist with guided research in several different areas. Responsibilities include conventional cellular and molecular biological experiments (e.g., Western blot, immunocytochemistry, gene expression and transfection, RT-PCR), digital imaging fluorescence microscopy, and basic laboratory management (e.g., order supplies, maintain lab inventory, liaise with clinicians for collecting human samples for experiments). The incumbent will assist the PI using conventional cell/molecular biological and physiological techniques to study cell functions using human and animal lung vascular cells. Additional responsibilities include assisting in contributions to the research related to the development of animal models with pulmonary hypertension, genotyping of experimental animal (e.g., mice) colonies and isolation (and culture) of lung vascular cells from animal models of pulmonary vascular disease. Incumbent will also attend and present at lab meetings and assist with the writing of manuscripts for publications.

• Theoretical and working knowledge in cell and molecular biology, physiology, and pulmonary vascular biology and pathobiology, or related field.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to experimental design, analysis and interpretation of experimental results.

• Ability and experience to dissociate vascular smooth muscle cells and prepare primary cultured lung vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells for cellular, molecular and physiological experiments.

• Experience assisting in advanced cellular and molecular biological techniques, Western blotting, real-time RT-PCR, gene expression in cultured cells and animal lung tissues.

• Experience assisting with writing scientific manuscripts and contributing to teamwork on in vitro cellular and molecular biological experiments.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the following specialized programs; PowerPoint, SigmaPlot, and MS Word.

• Demonstrated ability to read scientific literature, understand appropriate study design, follow study procedures and protocol, and maintain participant confidentiality.

• Proficient experience using database, word processing and spreadsheet applications.

• Experience working in a laboratory research setting with knowledge of protocols, principles and standards.

• Experience with interpretation and understanding of research protocols.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Variation of work schedule may be necessary to complete experiments and research projects.
• Must be able to work in an animal research related environment.