Lab Assistant 2 - 138420

The School of Biological Sciences is comprised of four academic departments, Cell and Developmental Biology, Ecology Behavior and Evolution, Molecular Biology, and Neurobiology, which reflect broad foci in faculty research and in the academic programs offered by the School. Each department is headed by a Chair who works individually to represent their department, and works collaboratively as a member of the School's Council of Chairs (CoC) on those school concerns which cross the boundaries of section governance. The School has over 100 faculty FTE and approximately 5000 undergraduate students in 8 majors, with annual enrollments of approximately 30,000.

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.

• 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.

• 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 a laboratory setting. Must be proficient in handling them. Experience in behavioral studies with rodents preferred.

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

• 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.

• 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 are 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.

• 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, and 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 the department.

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

• Background check required.

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.

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.

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