Experimental Neuropathology Lab Assistant - 134104

UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

UCSD Department of Psychiatry, working in conjunction with community based, county-contracted mental health clinics, provides psychiatric services to the underserved populations throughout San Diego county.

Under supervision, the incumbent will be responsible for a variety of routine technical tasks in a human cell culture, gene expression analysis and fluorescent microscopy imaging. Duties and responsibilities will include assisting senior lab staff in establishing and working with human cell cultures and helping with a variety of in vitro experiments. The incumbent will assist with sample preparation and repetitive standard lab works for biomarker assays, DNA/RNA extraction, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry staining of brain cell culture experiments. After intensive training and under supervision, the incumbent will perform routine cell culture, RNA extraction, protein extraction, and gene expression assays. The incumbent will be trained to do routine cleaning and maintenance tissue culture room and equipment and general lab area, and perform chemical and biohazard waste management.

• Graduation from High School or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in Chemistry, Molecular Biology or related field and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge and experience with general office software.

• Familiarity and some experience with experimental procedures in cell culture laboratory.

• Experience with calculation, preparation, dilution of various chemicals, reagents, and buffers.

• Experience in basic molecular biology lab work such as protein, DNA and RNA extraction techniques.

• Ability to communicate effectively and accurately and show ability to work with others.

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to work after hours and weekends for certain experiments.

• Experience in lab safety procedures and policies.

• Ability to assist in standard and repetitive cell culture experiments including, but not limited to: labelling cultures and samples; preparation of cell culture plates; preparation of culture media reagents, buffers; routine media change.

• Ability to assist with routine preparation and collecting supernatants; extracting proteins, DNA, RNA and fix cells at end-point.

• Ability to assist with biomarker ELISA protocols including, but not limited to: making sample aliquots, repetitive pipetting, washing plates, labelling samples.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• Must be able to work with animal tissues.