INSTITUTE FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking a Staff Research Assistant III to join the IND’s high-throughput screening (HTS) team, in support of our expanding Drug Discovery programs in neurodegenerative diseases, including Prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The IND is directed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Stanley Prusiner. Dr. Michael Silber heads the IND Drug Discovery R & D efforts, including the screening efforts, and reports to Dr. Prusiner.
Staff Research Associate III
This position will be responsible for screening of FDA-approved and foreign approved drugs (FAD) and chemical compounds in diverse chemical libraries to identify “hits” leading to the discovery and development of treatments and cures for a number of neurodegenerative diseases.
The incumbent will have significant knowledge, and expert level technical and scientific experience and will report to the HTS team leader. S/he will be responsible and accountable for the development, validation, and hands-on screening of drugs/compounds using cell-, biochemical-, and other screening based assays, and for converting assays to a HTS format.
The successful candidate will join a HTS team, which is part of an overall multidisciplinary Drug Discovery research effort whose research interests span many fields of scientific research. The goal of the team is to identify effective therapeutics against neurodegenerative diseases, including prion diseases like CJD, AD, FTD, PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
This position will be located at our South San Francisco location. At this time, there are no UCSF shuttles offering service to our South San Francisco location. Employees will be responsible for their own transportation.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, AND SPECIFIC JOB FOCUS, RESPONSIBILITIES, and EXPECTATIONS:
• B.S. in Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or related science with at least 6+ years of applied experience in the areas indicated below, or a Master's of Science degree with at least 3+ year of experience.
• Expert technical and scientific knowledge and experience with HTS using cell based and biochemical assays; demonstrated contribution to the successful completion of a HTS campaign.
• Expert technical and scientific experience in mammalian cell culture and sterile technique.
• Expert technical and scientific knowledge and experience in biochemical protein quantification and characterization techniques (protein purification, cell and tissue fractionation, Western blots and ELISA), cell fractionation, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence based techniques.
• Expert technical and scientific knowledge and experience handling, preparing and tracking chemical compounds in 96 or 384 well format.
• Expert technical and scientific knowledge in data analysis and QC of large and complex data sets.
• High level understanding and use of relational database concepts and hands-on experience with data input, querying, and report generation; programming skills and strong experimental design and analytical skills.
• 80 – 90% of the time will be devoted to hands-on lab work, especially bench work, along with appropriate planning, data analysis, documentation and supply management required to complete all aspects the experimental work at high levels of expertise and will specifically include the following technical and scientific activities:
o use, maintenance, and timely updating of laboratory notebooks.
o HTS using cell based and biochemical assays; hands-on contributions to the successful completion of HTS campaigns.
o Mammalian cell culture and sterile technique.
o basic molecular biology (cloning, PCR, primer design) and biochemistry (protein purification, cell and tissue fractionation, western blots and ELISA) techniques, pipetting, robotics, and handling of plates, and handling, preparing and tracking chemical compounds in 96 or 384 well format.
o use and programming of automation systems.
o use and troubleshooting of plate readers; experience with light and fluorescence microscopes.
o use of computers and all appropriate software, along with programming skills.
o metadata preparation, data acquisition, management and analysis.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and record keeping skills.
• Ability to work as an effective and efficient team member, and to participate in team meetings and planning.
• Enthusiasm, positive outlook, collegiality and scientific curiosity.
This is a full-time position with excellent benefits. Salary is dependent upon experience.
Interested applicants should submit curriculum vitae with a list of publications, a brief statement of research accomplishments and interests and contact information for three to four professional references.
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Allison Taylor at ind@ind.ucsf.edu.
Refer to “Drug Discovery SRA” when applying for this position.
UCSF is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity is encouraged. Veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
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