Staff Research Associate II - 141404

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.

Under the supervision of the Wet Lab Manager, the Staff Research Associate II (SRA 2 NEX) works with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in a high-throughput laboratory. Duties include but are not limited to extracting, purifying, and analyzing DNA and RNA and preparing libraries for NGS, as well as long-read library preparation for the PacBio platforms. The SRA 2 NEX will also assist with new technology development in support of the research program, including documenting the feasibility and testing of new technologies. The SRA 2 NEX also assists in maintaining new equipment and technologies including Next-Gen Sequencing equipment and liquid handlers.

The incumbent will also assist in project operations, logistics, organization, inventory, purchases, and waste management. Delegates tasks to other SRA's as needed. Trains SRAs, undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety guidelines. Stays up to date on relevant research and performs literature searches to help guide development of high-throughput projects. Operates, optimizes, and troubleshoots new machinery and protocols. Writes SOPs and creates data reporting tools using Microsoft Office, Python, and other existing bioinformatics tools. Performs cost analysis and coordinating with vendor representatives in order to secure cost-effective purchases. Manages inventory of collected environmental samples, tracks sample locations, and prepares sample metadata files to upload to Laboratory Information System (LIMS) databases.

Microbiome science is one of the most exciting areas of research today, with discoveries daily pushing the boundaries of what we know about human health and the environment. The incumbent will assist with driving this research forward focusing on DNA and RNA sequencing from complex microbial communities (metagenomics and metatranscriptomics). The incumbent will assist with high-impact projects that seek to understand how the microbiome contributes to human traits ranging from response to diet to mental health, the roles of microbes in environments ranging from oceans to soils, and the connections between. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of cellular, molecular and genetic biology, with demonstrated ability to perform independent scientific inquiry as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal) needed to interact professionally and effectively with stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials and protocols.

• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize work. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Organizational skills to order and maintain lab equipment and supplies.

• Experience with biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, RT-qPCR, DNA/RNA isolation, and sequencing.

• Micropipetting and dilutions experience.

• Knowledge and experience in liquid handling automation and ability to develop validated protocols.

• Ability to implement and troubleshoot protocols developed for high-throughput sequencing pipeline. Experience writing/editing protocols and manuscripts.

• Demonstrated experience with database management of clones/samples, including data entry, manipulation and creation of data reports.

• Experience and/or willingness to work in a BSL2+ laboratory processing SARS-CoV-2 positive wastewater and fecal samples.

• Experience working with computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, etc.

• Demonstrated ability to follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Experienced in working and maintaining a sterile environment.

• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.

• Computer skills using a Macintosh.

• Computer skills using a Macintosh.

• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.

• Demonstrated ability to follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Experienced in working and maintaining a sterile environment.

• Prior programming knowledge.

• Prior project management experience.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• Incumbent must be available to work 8AM - 8PM, Monday-Sunday as needed.

• Willing to work in a BSLII laboratory.