Laboratory Assistant - 133497

The Department of Medicine (DOM) 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. The department employs approximately 500 salaried faculty, 168 academic appointees, 331 residents, fellows and postdocs and 480 staff personnel.

UC San Diego Stein Institute for Research on Aging and Center for Healthy Aging, which are dedicated to the development and application of the latest advances in biomedical & behavioral science knowledge to issues of successful, healthy aging and the prevention and reduction of the burden of disability and disease.

The Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care aims to optimize the experience of aging and improve care for individuals with serious illness through excellence in clinical care, inspired teaching and transformative research. The Division is ranked 11th out of more than 1,500 national programs in U.S. News & World Report. It also leads the San Diego Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (AD-RCMAR), a partnership between UCSD and SDSU, which aims to enhance the diversity of the aging research workforce by providing mentorship to scientists from underrepresented groups for careers in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) relevant research. Additionally, the AD-RCMAR fosters research aimed at understanding and addressing risk factors and developing interventions to reduce ADRD disparities and enhance healthy cognitive aging in diverse populations.

Under supervision, the Lab Assistant will work on several ongoing projects and research studies focusing on successful aging as part of the Stein Institute for Research on Aging. Under supervision, major responsibilities will include assisting in conducting qualitative and other structured and unstructured interviews; assisting in mailing of surveys, study kits, certificates and follow up with participants for missing data; and entry of data into a clinical research database system. This individual will also perform other general research project tasks, such as library and computer research, and general administrative and office tasks in support of research studies, and provide support of the innovative Living Lab including collection and dissemination of research and training resources, assistance with program coordination and research projects. Other duties assigned as needed.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of applicable clinical or research experience, or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and one year of clinical or research experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in conducting qualitative interviews with patients or study participants.

• Demonstrated understanding of successful aging, and DSM-V criteria for psychiatric disorders.

• Proficiency using PC's including relational databases, word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical analysis programs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

• Ability to sustain careful attention to detail for long periods of time.

• Demonstrated skill in organizing, analyzing, managing time, setting priorities and meeting deadlines for multiple tasks.

• Experience working with older adult research participants and have general knowledge of geriatric psychiatry, successful aging, or gerontology.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Demonstrated successful, positive interpersonal and oral and written communication skills using tact, diplomacy, discretion, and flexibility with diverse personalities and situations. Skill to work as part of a research team.

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and to organize a varied workload to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain subject confidentiality.

• Must have completed (or be willing to complete) training in the responsible conduct of human research.

• Experience working in aging research environments.

• Proven ability to design and maintain logs; develop reports and tables.

• Experience working in a research setting.

• Bachelors Degree in psychology, social studies, biology, or related fields.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must be willing to travel to various locations within San Diego County. Must have access to reliable transportation and be willing to travel off-site to conduct interviews.

• Must be willing to work occasional overtime or flexible schedule.