Maher Lab - Junior Specialist

Junior Specialist- Maher lab

Department of Medicine and Liver Center
University of California, San Francisco

The UCSF Liver Center operates several core facilities as part of its mission to support liver-related research programs at UCSF. The Center seeks an academically-oriented and motivated individual to join the Liver Cell Isolation, Analysis and Immunology Core. The most important function of the core is to isolate primary cells from rodent and human livers for client investigators who wish to use them in downstream studies. Training will be provided in established protocols for cell isolation: these involve perfusion digestion of the intact liver and purification of crude cell suspensions by a range of techniques such as MACS or centrifugal elutriation. Less frequent duties include expansion and banking of immortalized liver cell lines, cassetting liver tissue samples for histology and extracting DNA from human blood samples. To ensure smooth operation of the core facility, the incumbent will prepare and sterilize all instruments and solutions required for cell isolation and culture; maintain all relevant equipment (perfusion pumps, centrifuges, rotors, incubators, biosafety cabinets); order and receive supplies; maintain records of completed work; keep up-to-date records of the cost of all work for recharge accounting; and assist with/stewardship of relevant animal and human research protocols. The work requires manual skill, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a schedule with multiple clients. The incumbent must be willing to work periodic nights or weekends -- often with short notice -- to accommodate the often unscheduled availability of human livers for cell isolation.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or at least 4 years of relevant research experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of chemistry, sufficient to prepare and pH laboratory solutions
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written)
• Willingness and ability to learn new methods and skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours on occasion to meet research demands
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in laboratory research, specifically cell culture

Please apply here with a CV, cover letter, and one reference contact.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$58,600.