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Staff Research Associate III - 138222

UC San Diego
United States, California, San Diego
Jan 29, 2026

La Jolla

9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, United States
#138222 Staff Research Associate III Filing Deadline: Wed 2/11/2026
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UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 01/30/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The Department of Pathology at UC San Diego aims to achieve the highest standards in patient care, research and education. The Department provides diagnostic pathology services in a wide variety of subspecialties with highly trained subspecialists who are recognized for their expertise. The Department's research programs are diverse and interface with a wealth of basic and translational research programs that are a hallmark of UC San Diego.

Under general supervision, the incumbent will perform experiments and interpret results related to a wide range of basic and translational experiments in the lab, including sophisticated experiments related to a deeper understanding of the neuronal cytoskeleton and its role in human diseases. The position will also collaborate with the PI and other lab members in the development of CRISPR-based therapeutics for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The techniques will include a wide range of cellular and molecular tools including advanced microscopy (including TIRF and superresolution), working with human and mouse neurons, and and perform experiments that require advanced microscopic skills such as point-photoactivation/conversion. Incumbent is expected to lead and take complete charge of all intellectual and technical aspects of work, including design/execution of the research, as well as interpretation of the result, in addition to advancement of translational tools like CRISPR-based therapeutics. Expertise in routine cell/molecular assays - cell culture, PCR, cell-based assays, protein blotting, flow cytometry etc. - as well as advanced microscopy and experience with culturing human iPSC-neurons - is essential. The incumbent should also be able to perform non-standard procedures including sample preparation and optimization, quality control, and data analysis, oversee lab members' use of shared instrumentation, including troubleshooting problems and performing limited maintenance, oversee undergraduate researchers and contribution to planning and execution of experiments, and help with data processing and presentation and statistical analysis as needed. Contribution to lab administration, compliance, and maintenance is also required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Knowledge in biomedical or a related science generally acquired through a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferably four years of research experience.

  • Knowledge of molecular biology techniques and genetics and experience in extracting DNA/RNA, PCR, and qPCR.

  • Experience in protein chemistry/purification, gel electrophoresis and transfers, various gel and membrane stains, western blots, and densitometry and analysis on resulting data.

  • Experience and knowledge of bio, chemical, and radiation safety techniques and practices. Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines and implement measures to ensure compliance and maintain associated records.

  • Experience writing scientific manuscripts for publication in scientific journals and other scholarly and research- oriented publications.

  • Experience using computer software for the analysis and visualization of experimental data. Demonstrated ability to learn new software and/or computer hardware, or expand existing knowledge, to meet the needs of research.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the additional ability to communicate information effectively in person, on the telephone or via email to a diverse population of researchers and lay people.

  • Sterile techniques and ability to recognize and identify contaminants and devise methods to eliminate them.

  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently.

  • Experience to independently identify new areas of research, develop hypothesis or identify questions, formulate new models, design and carry out necessary experiments to test these models, analyze data, write-up results for publications.

  • Experience and knowledge to develop new research and experimental techniques to meet research objectives.

  • Experience and demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain multiple different eukaryotic cell lines including freezing, thawing, storage, and plating cells in preparation for experiments. Experience with sterile techniques, trouble shooting of contamination problems, and care of incubators and liquid nitrogen freezers.

  • Experience with gel/blot imaging and microscopic imaging techniques for both fluorescence and bright field applications and with digital histology image software assisted image processing and analysis. Experience with advanced imaging equipment such as photoactivation/conversion using DMD devices, TIRF and superresolution (STED) microscopy.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Occasional overtime may be required. Must be willing to work with laboratory mice.

  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $69,763 - $112,181 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $33.41 - $53.73

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).

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If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace


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