Ashouri Lab - Junior or Assistant Specialist

The Ashouri Lab is seeking a highly motivated Junior or Assistant Research Specialist to contribute to our research on how immune tolerance is broken in autoimmune diseases. Our lab focuses on T cell dysregulation in human autoimmune diseases, utilizing mouse models, human samples, and cutting-edge molecular, cellular, and computational approaches, including paired single-cell RNA and TCR-sequencing. A major goal of our work is to define TCR specificities, gene expression profiles, and signaling networks of self-reactive T cells in autoimmune diseases.

The selected candidate will work on projects including:

1) Tracking Self-Antigen-Recognizing T Cells in Autoimmune Arthritis and Psoriasis using a mouse model of autoimmune arthritis that shares key features with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, we aim to track T cells that recognize self-antigen in a disease setting.

2) Investigating the Impact of a Germ-Free Environment on T Cell Signaling: This study explores how the microbiome influences T cell development and tolerance. Using wild-type and arthritis-prone mice, we will investigate how germ-free conditions alter T cell signaling in both developing and mature T cells.

Responsibilities

The research specialist will contribute to ongoing projects and assist with mouse colony maintenance, including genotyping and breeding; flow cytometry, cell culture, molecular biology, and tissue processing, data interpretation (training will be provided), general lab management, organization, and ordering supplies, and be a positive lab citizen.

We are looking for someone who is conscientious, eager to learn, reliable, and can work independently on troubleshooting and resolving experimental problems.

The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to build on prior lab experience to learn about cell biology and immunology in an academic laboratory setting. The research specialist will report directly to Dr. Judith Ashouri-Sinha, but will work closely with collaborators within and outside of the group. An exceptional research specialist will lead their own independent project, develop new ideas, become familiar with the literature, and be an active, hands-on contributor to the Ashouri Lab. Candidates interested in pursuing MD, PhD, or MD/PhD training will benefit most from this laboratory experience.

Required qualifications:

* Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written).

* Willingness and ability to learn new methods and skills for changing research priorities.

* Willingness to work with mice.

* Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.

* Ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate work tasks with others, and meet multiple deadlines.

* Familiarity with standard wet lab techniques (e.g. preparation of reagents/chemicals, basic tissue culture, calculating dilutions, PCR, western blot, DNA/RNA purification) and/or computational analysis of large datasets.

* Specialists appointed at the Junior rank must have (or be in process of obtaining) a bachelor's degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience.

* Specialists appointed at the Assistant rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or a bachelor's degree (or equivalent degree) with at least 3 or more years of research experience.

Preferred qualifications:

* Prior experience working with mice, performing mouse injections.

* Prior experience in flow cytometry or other immune profiling methods.

* Prior experience in aseptic tissue culture, western blotting, PCR.

* Prior experience in high throughput sequencing and analysis.

* Prior experience in the design and assembly of DNA constructs.

Appointees in the Specialist series will be expected to engage in specialized research, professional activities and do not have teaching responsibilities. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions, and may participate in University and Public Service. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period. Salary and rank will be commensurate with the applicants experience and training.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF05552. Applicants' materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $53,100-$68,300.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

* "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

* UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH

* UC Anti-Discrimination Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

* APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf