Laboratory Research Associate - 121249

The Department of Medicine is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California, San Diego and employs 500+ full-time salaried faculty members and 150+ academic appointees. Staff personnel include 800+ staff in 9 bargaining units, students, and volunteers. There are over 250 clinical faculties practicing at multiple sites and hospitals. Professional fee billings for the department exceed $50 million with collections of over $19 million per year. The total annual budget is approximately $200 million, which includes contract and grant revenues, clinical practice and medical center funds, and other state and private endowment funds.

Independently design, perform and analyze specialized electrophysiology experiments. Responsibilities include advanced laboratory and technical tasks, including whole-cell and single-channel recording cation and anion currents in isolated human and animal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle and endothelial cells, measurement of membrane potentials and action potentials in excitable cells, and transfection of ion channel genes (e.g., KCNA5, TRPC6) into HEK cells and recording the currents through these channels and studying changes of ion channel function. The incumbent will independently design and conduct the patch clamp experiments for the aforementioned studies on human and animal lung vascular cells.

Additional responsibilities include making significant and novel contributions to the research related to the development of animal models with pulmonary hypertension and isolation of lung vascular cells from animal models of pulmonary vascular disease. Incumbent will present at lab meetings and assist with the writing of manuscripts for publications. Make significant innovative contributions pertaining to experimental design and methodology by reviewing published scientific data in refereed journals, as well as online using search engines and subject-specific websites, to make recommended changes to current protocols and practices. Troubleshoot problems for quality control on electrophysiology procedures. Maintain and prepare accurate records of all experiments. Assist in the preparation of data for publication. Provide training, work direction and supervision in areas of expertise as needed to all students and postdoctoral fellows.

• Advanced theoretical knowledge and/or Bachelor's Degree in genetics, biology, immunology, microbiology, physiology and/or work experience.

• Strong demonstrated experience recording membrane potential and action potentials in human and animal lung vascular cells.

• Strong experience and knowledge in whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp recording in isolated human and animal lung vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

• Demonstrated experience using laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, spectrophotometers, balances, pH meters, autoclaves and electrophoresis equipment.

• Experience handling and working with small animals, including demonstrated experience conducting mouse surgeries, experiments, and injections. Knowledge in conducting euthanasia of small animals.

• Experience in troubleshooting problems for quality control on electrophysiology procedures.

• Experience with performing whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp recording in HEK/CHO cells transfected with recombinant ion channel genes.

• Experience in isolation and preparation of freshly dissociated lung vascular cells from animal tissues and transplanted human lung tissues.

• Experience in proper handling of chemical and biohazard materials. Demonstrated experience with sterile techniques.

• Experience with computer software such as Excel and Prism to analyze data, store results and compute raw data.

• Proficient experience of computer applications such as Word, Excel and Power point. Internet search and software analysis capabilities.

• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment, as well as to effectively and accurately document research procedures. Ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Variation of work schedule may be necessary to complete experiments and research projects.
• Must be willing and able to work with hazardous materials (biological and chemical).
• Must be willing and able to work with small animals.