"Associate Specialist - Cromer Lab"

Associate Specialist - Cromer Lab
Department of Surgery
University of California, San Francisco

The Department of Surgery seeks an Associate Specialist to support the research program of Dr. Kyle Cromer in the Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine & Stem Cell Research at UCSF. The Cromer Lab studies hematopoietic disorders and develops advanced genome engineering strategies that integrate CRISPR-mediated editing with synthetic biology tools. These approaches enable the introduction of novel, programmable functions into human cells for therapeutic applications, including:

• Engineering red blood cells to produce and/or secrete therapeutic proteins into the bloodstream
• Developing synthetic signaling tools that confer a selective advantage to therapeutically relevant cell types
• Introducing inducible or autonomous safety switches to prevent expansion or differentiation of unwanted cell populations

The Associate Specialist will participate in all aspects of molecular tool development, including design, cloning, validation, and optimization of genome editing constructs, as well as execution of in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate these systems in clinically relevant hematopoietic models. The overarching goal of this work is to overcome key bottlenecks in gene therapy, including limitations in editing precision, delivery efficiency, and durable engraftment. The Associate Specialist will also contribute to the development and operationalization of strategic research initiatives that advance the laboratory's translational objectives, including preclinical validation and preparation for regulatory submission.

The Associate Specialist will be expected to perform the below job responsibilities:

• Design and execute genome engineering experiments in human hematopoietic stem & progenitor cells
• Perform advanced molecular biology, cell culture, bioinformatic, and functional assays
• Lead and manage in vivo mouse transplantation studies, including use of immunodeficient and humanized models
• Analyze and interpret data, prepare figures and manuscripts, and contribute to grant writing
• Mentor junior trainees and contribute to scientific training activities within the lab
• Assist with regulatory documentation and compliance for gene therapy-related research

The Associate Specialist will work in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment with MD and PhD scientists across UCSF and partner institutions.

Specialists appointed at the Associate rank must have a master's degree (or equivalent degree) in Genetics, Stem Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field or at least 5-10 years of research experience. A Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in Genetics, Stem Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field, or 10 or more years of research experience is preferred.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, and community services that have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to excellence.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $75,600 - $88,000.

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)