Lab Assistant

La Jolla 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92037, United States #139091 Lab Assistant Filing Deadline: Wed 4/15/2026 Apply Now UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply. UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 04/6/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor. Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance. DESCRIPTION The Center for Neural Repair in the UC San Diego Department of Neurosciences studies gene and cell therapies for spinal cord injury and for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Under supervision, the Lab Assistant II assist in providing surgical and veterinary support in a neurosciences research laboratory studying gene therapy in animal models of neurodegenerative disease. Primary responsibilities include assist with rodent surgery, rodent post-operative care, perfusion, and dissection, as well as maintaining transgenic mouse lines. Additional responsibilities include assisting with histology and processing of human and non-human primate tissues (tissue sectioning, immunohistochemical staining, and microscopy), molecular biology (preparation and validation of plasmid DNA, restriction digest, and gel electrophoresis), and RNAscope and Basescope in situ hybridization assays. Maintain detailed records, perform rigorous data management, and collaborate effectively with a diverse laboratory staff. Performs other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Experience handling rodents and performing rodent perfusion and dissection. Experience performing stereotactic injection of rodent brain. Knowledge of transgenic mouse breeding and genotyping. Experience with sectioning of rodent tissue on microtome and cryostat. Knowledge of and some experience performing routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Computer skills and experience with word processing, spreadsheets, and graphics software. Ability to learn new software for analysis of microscopic images. Excellent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills and ability to keep accurate records, prepare study reports, and write detailed protocols. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse laboratory staff, politely resolve issues, and communicate clearly. Knowledge of basic lab safety requirements and procedures including EH&S regulations and methods for handling, clean-up, and waste disposal for biohazardous materials. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience performing light, fluorescent, and confocal microscopy. Experience performing rodent surgery. Theoretical knowledge in biology or related field, as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Scientific thinking skills and ability to troubleshoot assays, identify and correct problems, improve protocols, and train others. Experience performing histology with Human tissue Experience performing specific molecular biology techniques including: bacterial culture; plasmid DNA subcloning, verification, and purification; western blot; ELISA; PCR; qPCR; RT-qPCR. Experience performing specific cell biology techniques including: subculture of immortalized cell lines; electroporation and transfection of cultured cells; live imaging; immunocytochemistry. Experience performing RNAscope and basescope assays. Experience managing biohazardous waste disposal and knowledge of the UCSD waste tag program. SPECIAL CONDITIONS Must be willing and able to work with rodents in a research environment. Must be willing to work on occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs. Employment is subject to a criminal background check. Employment is subject to pre-employment physical for those who work in clinical settings and/or with patients. Employment is subject to a criminal background check. Pay Transparency Act Annual Full Pay Range: $54,768 - $64,582 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%) Hourly Equivalent: $26.23 - $30.93 Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable). Apply Now If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable. UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team! Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached. To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community. 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. For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information. UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening. Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy UC Anti-Discrimination Policy Abusive Conduct in the Workplace Apply