Staff Research Associate
Job Summary Staff Research Associate II may be assigned the management responsibility for a small laboratory unit, with at least one Staff Research Associate I or a group of lower-level laboratory employees such as Laboratory Assistants, Animal Technicians, etc. This type of responsibility typically includes ordering supplies and equipment and insuring proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Under supervision, incumbents perform (a) a wide variety of standard repetitive laboratory and/or field experimental procedures at the full operational or journey level of skill in one field of specialty; or (b) perform a limited variety of non-standard laboratory and/ or field experimental procedures requiring ingenuity, resourcefulness, and adaptability to special and changing needs of research in one specialized field; or (c) perform a limited variety or repetitive but highly specialized laboratory and/or field experimental procedures.
Incumbent typically perform a wide variety of standard repetitive procedures without detailed technical supervision, usually in a well-established occupational field (i.e., chemistry, microbiology, etc.). They may also modify, vary or adapt standard procedures to meet the needs of research projects, or improve tests that are unsatisfactory, and after studying available literature, analyze and alter conditions under which determinations are made. They may also acquire and apply a body of knowledge and skill in a field of comparatively narrow scope where the emphasis is on specialized techniques.
The is seeking a Staff Research Associate to join our team and contribute to new and ongoing projects. The BCMM is focused on human microbiome research, with a particular interest in accelerating discovery and translation in the fields of early life microbiome and therapeutic development. The Center supports multiple collaborative technology hubs that facilitate microbiome research projects led by researchers across UCSF.
The SRA will provide technical support to technology hub projects, receiving, cataloging and processing a variety of sample types from investigators. Projects will be diverse, spanning disciplines within all schools across campus. The SRA is responsible for sample processing, data generation, and will contribute to general facility management and analyses, manuscript, and report generation. The SRA will work closely with other team members and project investigators to facilitate timely project progress. In addition to research projects, the position will collaborate with other team members on the development of novel tools to address ongoing challenges in the field of translational microbiome research.
Other specific responsibilities vary across the technology hubs. Duties are generally limited to a single tech hub; typical duties for each technology hubs are summarized below.
: Sample extraction for library preparation and sequencing (16S rRNA, ITS2, metagenomics), and data analyses
: Sample preparation for library preparation, analytical chemistry (liquid and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and data analyses
: Expanding curated collection of microbial isolates, microbial isolate characterization (genotypic and phenotypic), and data analyses
: Providing basic facility maintenance and husbandry within gnotobiotic isolators, performing advanced experimental techniques (experimental agent administration), execute laboratory techniques to monitor sterility of our germ-free mouse colonies (microbial culture and gram staining).
Leadership and professional development opportunities is central to the BCMM culture. The position will have opportunities to collaborate on scientific publications and will work with their supervisor to create a tailored professional development plan to further their career goals. To see the salary range for this position (we recommend that you make a note of the job code and use that to look up): Please note: The compensation ranges listed online for roles not covered by a bargaining unit agreement are very wide, however a job offer will typically fall in the range of 80% - 120% of the established mid-point. An offer will take into consideration the experience of the final candidate AND the current salary level of individuals working at UCSF in a similar role. For roles covered by a bargaining unit agreement, there will be specific rules about where a new hire would be placed on the range. To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: Department Description The Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine (BCMM) is home to UCSF's community of over 130 faculty, staff, and trainees dedicated to the integrative human microbiome research. Established in 2019 by the generous support of Mark and Lynne Benioff, the Center provides access to state of art technology hubs, research funds, and educational programming to advance our knowledge of the human microbiome's potential to predict, prevent and treat a wide range of diseases. Required Qualifications
- BA/BS in a related science and one or more years of recent, directly related work experience, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Knowledge of scientific methodology and related research literature sufficient to contribute original ideas; or journey-level knowledge of scientific procedures in two or more distinct fields of science.
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are required.
- Demonstrated ability to organize, interpret, evaluate, and present research findings in a variety of formats including research manuscripts, grant proposals, external manuscripts, and oral presentations and in collaborative and instructional scientific interactions within laboratory and discussion settings.
- Ability to utilize on-line databases and other software to create, retrieve, and compile data using standard software programs.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues, faculty, donors, and industry partners, with an emphasis on collaboration, tact, diplomacy, flexibility, professionalism, and discretion.
- Solid communications skills with the ability to speak and write clearly about technical and scientific research and develop narrative for correspondence, protocols, and other materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with handling pathogenic microbes, aseptic techniques.
- Experience in microbial culture and characterization, including anaerobic culture techniques, strain genotyping and phenotyping.
- Experience with human microbiome molecular techniques (high-throughput sample processing, biomarker sequencing etc.)
- Experience in mass spectrometry or other analytical chemistry approaches.
- Experience in mouse research, including: handling, restraint, oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, breeding (plug and pregnancy checks, determining age and sex of litters).
- Experience in large-scale sample handling and processing.
About UCSF The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells. Pride Values UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California San Francisco 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, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Job Code and Payroll Title 009617 SRA 2 NEX Job Category Research and Scientific Bargaining Unit University Professional Technical Employees - Research Support Professionals Unit (UPTE-RX) Location Parnassus Heights (SF) Additional Shift Details Monday-Friday 8:30-5 |
University of California - San Francisco Campus and Health
Oct 27, 2023