Lab Assistant II - 138468

The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 171 Faculty, 60 post- doctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 300 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 57 clinical residents and fellows 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 has undergone significant growth in recent years with a consolidated budget of approximately $106 million including sponsored projects expenditures of approximately $54 million and clinical revenue of over $ 52 million. This expansion of the Department's research and clinical portfolio is expected to continue in the next few years.

The Department's 18 divisions include Academic General Pediatrics, Child Development & Community Health; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology; Cardiology; Dermatology; Dysmorphology; Emergency Medicine; Endocrinology; Gastroenterology; Genetics; Genome Information Sciences; Hospital Medicine; Infectious Diseases; Neonatology; Nephrology; Pharmacology & Drug Discovery; Rehabilitation Medicine; and Respiratory Medicine.

In 2001, physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's, and Children's Specialists of San Diego (CSSD) unified pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs, creating a university-affiliated children's health system to serve the region. Over the past two decades, an extensive list of joint programs has developed, with many physicians and researchers playing a role at both institutions. This affiliation has consolidated the clinical, teaching, research and public service programs of the UCSD School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics with San Diego's only health care system dedicated to the health and well-being of children. In 2009, this partnership was furthered by the creation of Rady Children's Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Foundation, and is now recognized as having global leaders in research, technology, translational medicine, education and clinical excellence.

The incumbent will work at the UCSD School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Facility II. Under supervision, this position involves performance of tissue culture and animal experiment involving bacteria P. acnes and S. aureus. The Lab Assistant will plan and perform the experiments, analyze the data and present at lab meetings. In addition, the Lab Assistant will perform lab maintenance work including preparation of media and making inventory of animals. The Lab Assistant will also assist other lab members in their experiments as needed.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in the biological sciences and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

• Knowledge of or experience in basic laboratory techniques.

• Ability and willingness to handle and work with human biospecimens and other bio-hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic materials, and to recognize safety problems. Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Bio-hazardous Material Guidelines.

• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of various lab equipment such as centrifuges, spectrophotometers, balances, pH meters, and electrophoresis equipment.

• Knowledge of or experience with DNA and RNA isolation, RTPCR and qPCR.

• Proficient with the operation of PC's and associated software, including Word, Excel, etc. Demonstrated ability to work with and learn new software for data-analysis.

• Knowledge of and ability to adhere to established UCSD guidelines for safety and environmental issues.

• Superb oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to keep accurate and well-organized lab records, lab notebook and computer data files.

• Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to order/maintain lab equipment and supplies.

• Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning.

• Experience with tissue culture and mouse experiments.

• Experience with FACS.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be available for working according to variable schedules including occasional weekends.

• Must be willing to work occasional extended shifts and/or flexible hours.

• Must have access to reliable transportation.