Junior Specialist/Assistant Specialist
Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine
Department of Medicine | UC San Francisco
Location: Mission Bay, 499 Illinois St., San Francisco, CA
Position Description
The Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at UCSF is seeking a highly motivated Junior Specialist or Assistant Specialist to join the malaria research laboratory of Dr. Bryan Greenhouse at the EPPIcenter (eppicenter.ucsf.edu). Appointment rank will be based on the candidate's qualifications, education, and relevant experience.
Our laboratory is a dynamic research environment focused on the immunology and molecular epidemiology of malaria. Our translational research is aimed at informing malaria control policy in endemic countries, including the generation of molecular and genomic data to characterize drug and diagnostic resistance profiles, malaria transmission networks, and development of naturally acquired immunity to malaria.
The Specialist is responsible for the laboratory's malaria genomic surveillance pipeline, spanning sample cataloging through advanced molecular assays and next-generation sequencing (NGS); performing high-throughput serologic assays including Luminex and phage-immunoprecipitation sequencing; and malaria parasite culture and expression profiling, and evaluation of laboratory results including validation of accuracy and computational data analysis. Responsibilities will include critical analysis of published literature to guide experimental approach, and the specialist will contribute to scholarly publications and applications for grant funding.
This position is a full-time (100%). Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Location: Mission Bay, 499 Illinois St., Floor 2, Room 235.
About the EPPIcenter
The EPPIcenter (eppicenter.ucsf.edu) advances understanding of infectious diseases to reduce global morbidity and mortality through a highly interdisciplinary, systems-epidemiology approach that connects theoretical work, technology development, empirical data collection, and statistical and mathematical modeling.
Areas of Specialization and Responsibilities
* Critical analysis of published literature to guide experimental approach
* Routine performance of molecular assays including nucleic acid extraction, mPCR/PCR and qPCR for detecting and genotyping malaria parasites; targeted amplicon and whole genome sequencing, gene expression, and high throughput serological assays, including bead array and phage immunoprecipitation sequencing.
* Perform statistical analysis of data resulting from laboratory experiments using standardized software and custom bioinformatic scripts. Critically interpret results of analysis to evaluate the quality and validity of laboratory results, determine next steps, and communicate to other team members.
* Culture malaria parasites and develop quality controls using known-quantity whole blood and dried blood spot standards for use across all collaborating laboratories worldwide.
* Operate and troubleshoot shared laboratory equipment: centrifuges, incubators, shakers, Qubit, NanoDrop, TapeStation, and high-throughput robotic liquid handling systems (Echo, Bravo, BenchSmart) for automated library preparation.
* Troubleshoot protocols when results are not as expected, including investigating contamination in PCR, sequencing, and gene expression assays and sequencing quality issues across batches.
* Maintain detailed, accurate records of all experimental design and results in laboratory notebooks or electronic equivalents (e.g., Benchling); interpret results with excellent attention to detail to ensure reproducibility.
* Use proprietary and commercial electronic systems to catalog, track, and manage a biobank of tens of thousands of biological samples; lead efforts to create and populate relational databases with sample metadata.
* Use Asana as a project management/ticketing tool within a scrum workflow to manage complex tasks with upward and downward dependencies; use Slack for communications across a worldwide network of collaborators.
* Produce figures, charts, tables, and data summaries using appropriate visualization tools for local and international audiences.
* Draft reports of problems, methods, results, and tentative conclusions; contribute to co-authorship of manuscripts resulting from research findings.
* Troubleshoot cross-site protocol inconsistencies and develop harmonized standard operating procedures (SOPs).
* Train other lab members and trainees on laboratory methods and instrumentation.
* Perform general laboratory duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Junior Specialist:
* Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) in biology, molecular biology, or a related science
* Hands-on laboratory experience with molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and next-generation sequencing
* Track record of evaluating scientific literature to guide the course of laboratory investigation
* Demonstrated expertise in evaluating and identifying appropriate laboratory methods to answer particular scientific questions
* Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate the quality and validity of laboratory and analytical results
* Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to perform multi-step assays on large sample numbers while maintaining accurate, detailed experimental records.
* Demonstrated strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
* Demonstrated experience running command line scripts (e.g., Python or R) for analysis of laboratory data
* Demonstration of excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
* Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
* Demonstrated willingness and ability to learn new methods and adapt to changing research priorities.
Assistant Specialist:
* In addition to the above, Master's Degree (or equivalent) in biology, molecular biology, or a related science, with 3 or more years of recent, directly related work experience following degree completion, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position.
* Hands-on laboratory experience with next-generation sequencing library preparation (short-read and/or long-read platforms), including whole-genome and/or targeted amplicon sequencing.
* Experience with laboratory information management systems, electronic lab notebooks, and relational database management for large-scale sample tracking.
* Prior co-authorship on peer reviewed publication
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with next-generation sequencing library preparation (short-read and/or long-read platforms) and/or NGS data analysis, including whole-genome and/or targeted amplicon sequencing.
* Experience with RNA extraction and expression profiling (bulk and/or single-cell)
* Experience with sterile culture techniques, ideally including malaria parasite and bacteriophage culture
* Experience in protein production and purification
* Experience with mPCR optimization and troubleshooting, particularly with low-biomass or challenging sample types (e.g., dried blood spots).
* Proficiency with DNA/RNA QC instrumentation: Qubit, TapeStation, NanoDrop.
* Experience with multiplexed serological assays (bead-based assays e.g. Luminex, phage-immunoprecipitation sequencing).
* Proficiency with bioinformatics tools and scripting (R/RStudio)
* Advanced knowledge of database software and statistical tools for data analysis and visualization.
* Experience with laboratory information management systems, electronic lab notebooks, and relational database management for large-scale sample tracking.
* Experience with project management platforms
* Prior co-authorship of or contribution to scientific publications.
Compensation
See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$70,700.
How to Apply
Please apply here. Applicants must submit:
* Curriculum Vitae (CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications)
* Cover Letter
* Contact information for 3 references
Applicant materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission. The selected candidate must meet all qualifications at the time of appointment.
Additional Information
Appointees in the Specialist series are expected to engage in specialized research and professional activities and do not have formal teaching responsibilities. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions and may participate in University and public service. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed. Salary and rank will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and training.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
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.
UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
* "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
* UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
* UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
* APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
University of California - San Francisco
Jul 08, 2026