Staff Research Associate - 136092

The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 250 Faculty, 127 postdoctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 320 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 68 clinical residents distributed across the Divisions. The missions of research, education and patient care are intertwined, and are integral to the goals of the department.

The Department manages a university-affiliated children's health system with the physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's Hospital, and Rady Children's Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Practice Foundation, unifying pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs.

The Bode Laboratory in the UCSD Department of Pediatrics is dedicated to research on human milk in general and Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) in particular. The lab's main research objectives are to elucidate (i) how milk components are synthesized in the mother's mammary gland, (ii) how milk composition is affected by external factors such as nutrition, pathogens, or medications, (iii) how milk components affect immediate as well as long-term health and development of infants and mothers, and (iv) how they can serve as natural templates for the development of preventatives, therapeutics, and diagnostics for people of all ages. For more information about the group and our research program, visit http://www.bodelab.com.

Under supervision, the incumbent plays a role in the day-to-day operation for the maintenance of basic laboratory operations in the Bode Laboratory in the UCSD Department of Pediatrics. The incumbent's primary responsibility will be to manage and participate in laboratory animal research including genotyping, colony management, and conducting animal studies. In addition, incumbent will also be involved in research not related to animals. For example, extracts and derivatizes milk oligosaccharide samples for analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Manages the isolation and purification of milk oligosaccharides by size exclusion chromatography as well as affinity chromatography. Manages general maintenance of laboratory equipment. Maintains sample and reagent organization and inventory. Maintains and manages hazardous waste in laboratory in compliance with EH&S. Maintains glassware and plastic ware in laboratory. Monitors supply inventory and routine ordering. Manages and monitors lab safety and post safety information.

• Theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory experience in the natural, physical or social sciences as typically attained by a Bachelors degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience measuring and weighing chemicals, preparing solutions; and knowledge and ability to prepare a variety of reagents.

• Experience with analyzing bioactive components using ELISA, ideally with a multiplex platform.

• Experience with and understanding of basic laboratory equipment.

• Experience in reporting and communicating study results.

• Experience with procedures such as liquid chromatography, Western Blotting, RT-PCR.

• Skill and knowledge to maintain an organized lab, stocks and orders of essential supplies and reagents, and to ensure lab equipment is running efficiently.

• Prior experience and knowledge of proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials including biohazards.

• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills to communicate research results. Prior experience and skill in updating, revising and editing laboratory procedures.

• Proficient with Windows XP OS, with an ability to work with a variety of computer applications (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and with a willingness and ability to increase skills and knowledge as needed.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, and patience in dealing with students, faculty, staff, and corporate/industrial representatives.

• Knowledge in and experience with glycobiology in general and milk oligosaccharides in particular.

• Knowledge in and experience with sterile techniques, working with tissue cultures.

• Knowledge in and experience with glycobiology in general and milk oligosaccharides in particular.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to handle and be around animals.

• Must be willing to handle and be around hazardous chemicals and materials.

• Must be willing to handle biohazard materials.