Staff Research Associate 1

SRA 2 NEX (009617)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000151

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

8/17/2026 6:55:02 PM

Date Last Edited:

8/17/2026 6:54:57 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1600O

Organization:

BASIC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES              

Division Code:

1610D

Division:

BASIC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES DIV          

Department:

230100 - MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNO & MOLECULAR GENETIC

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000151

Position Description ID

262770

UC Payroll Title:

SRA 2 NEX (009617)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RX: Research Support Professionals

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40063759

Reports to Payroll Title:

Professor

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40881053

Department Head Payroll Title:

Admin Mgr 2

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Principal Investigator and designated project lead, provide technical research support for an academic virology laboratory investigating viral glycoprotein function, virus-host interactions, and vaccine development. Independently perform established mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, virology, immunologic and biochemical procedures; generate and analyze research data; maintain research reagents and laboratory operations; and comply with UCLA biosafety, environmental health and safety, and research integrity requirements. Coordinate routine activities with laboratory members, core facilities, and collaborators, contribute to optimization and documentation of experimental methods.

The MIMG department mission is to provide the highest quality research and education possible in the interdisciplinary fields of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. To meet this goal, we work together as scientists, educators and students to identify and address the most relevant problems in microbial pathogenesis and physiology, host cell biology and immune defense, and the host-pathogen interface.

Conduct Virology, Cell Biology, Immunology & Biochemical Experiments

A-1 Maintain mammalian cell lines using aseptic technique; monitor growth and morphology; prepare media; and cryopreserve, recover, and document cell stocks.

A-2 Perform transfection, viral or pseudoviral infection, protein-expression, and cell-based assays under approved biosafety protocols and only within assigned authorization and training.

A-3 Conduct project-appropriate assays, including cell-cell fusion or viral-entry assays, neutralization assays, ELISA, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, enzymatic assays, and related readouts.

A-4 Include appropriate positive and negative controls, technical or biological replicates, and predefined quality-control criteria; identify and document deviations or failed acceptance criteria.

A-5 Independently organize routine experimental workflow and troubleshoot established procedures; consult the supervisor before substantive changes to approved protocols or experimental scope.

40%

Generate and Maintain Research Reagents

B-1 Perform PCR, DNA assembly or restriction-based cloning, plasmid purification, and sequence verification according to established laboratory workflows.

B-2 Generate, quantify, aliquot, label, and store DNA constructs, proteins, antibodies, viral vectors, pseudoviruses, virus-like particles, and other project reagents as assigned.

B-3 Perform appropriate reagent quality control, such as concentration, purity, expression, titer, sterility or mycoplasma testing, and track lot-to-lot performance.

B-4 Maintain accurate cell, plasmid, antibody, virus, and reagent inventories and prepare properly documented materials for laboratory members, core facilities, or collaborators.

20%

Organize Research Data

C-1 Record experimental objectives, methods, calculations, conditions, reagent lot numbers, raw data, and deviations contemporaneously in the approved electronic or paper laboratory record system.

C-2 Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using software such as Microsoft Excel, GraphPad Prism, ImageJ/Fiji, FlowJo, or equivalent programs and apply laboratory-approved normalization and statistical approaches.

C-3 Prepare clear figures, tables, experimental summaries, protocols, and progress updates; present results at laboratory meetings and contribute technical content to manuscripts, abstracts, and sponsor reports.

C-4 Organize and back up data files using laboratory naming, storage, access, and data-retention conventions.

15%

Maintain Lab Operations

D-1 Follow UCLA Environmental Health and Safety, Institutional Biosafety Committee, biosafety, chemical hygiene, bloodborne-pathogen, occupational health, and waste-disposal requirements applicable to assigned work.

D-2 Maintain clean and functional work areas; monitor common equipment and environmental logs; perform routine user maintenance; and report malfunctions or coordinate service when authorized.

D-3 Track inventory, identify supply needs, receive and organize shipments, rotate stocks, maintain freezer maps, and minimize reagent loss or expiration.

D-4 Prepare or update SOPs, sample logs, training records, risk-assessment materials, and corrective-action documentation as assigned and participate in laboratory inspections.

D-5 Complete time-sensitive procedures outside standard hours when required by established experimental schedules, including cell maintenance and scheduled sample collection.

15%

Coordinate Routine Research Activities

E-1 Demonstrate established methods to students or newly trained personnel and confirm safe, accurate execution before independent use.

E-2 Coordinate use of shared equipment, reagents, and work areas and communicate experiment status, material needs, delays, and technical problems to relevant team members.

E-3 Interact with collaborators and core facilities; prepare samples, forms, and chain-of-custody or shipment documentation as applicable.

5%

Support Scientific Planning and Development

F-1 Review relevant scientific literature and contribute technical observations to method selection, experimental planning, and troubleshooting discussions.

F-2 Participate in laboratory meetings, required safety and compliance training, and job-related professional development.

F-3 Complete occasional duties consistent with the scope and classification of the position.

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

In Biological Sciences or equivalent experience and education.

Preferred

Lab Experience

Relevant Experience

Required

Working knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, virology, immunology, or biochemistry sufficient to understand assigned experimental objectives, controls, and expected outcomes.

Required

Skill in sterile mammalian cell culture, accurate micropipetting, solution preparation, and calculation of dilutions, concentrations, and molarity.

Required

Skill in one or more relevant laboratory methods, such as PCR and cloning, immunoblotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, microscopy, viral-entry or fusion assays, neutralization assays, or viral-vector and VLP production.

Required

Ability to follow detailed written protocols, manufacturer instructions, approved amendments, and laboratory SOPs accurately and reproducibly.  Ability to comply with required biosafety, chemical, occupational health, exposure-control, PPE, decontamination, and waste-management procedures.

Required

Ability to plan sequential experiments, manage multiple samples and time points, prioritize competing tasks, and complete work within scientific and operational deadlines.

Required

Ability to recognize unexpected results or technical problems, troubleshoot routine procedures systematically, document corrective actions, and escalate non-routine issues appropriately.

Required

Skill in quantitative data analysis and use of software such as Excel, GraphPad Prism, ImageJ/Fiji, FlowJo, or equivalent applications.

Preferred

Ability to maintain complete, contemporaneous, and traceable research records, including raw data, calculations, sample identifiers, reagent lots, and protocol deviations.

Required

Skill in organizing biological samples, reagents, inventories, freezer locations, and digital data using established naming and tracking systems. Ability to operate common laboratory equipment and perform routine user maintenance after documented training.

Required

Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing and orally, collaborate with individuals from varied scientific backgrounds, and provide task-specific instruction in established procedures.  Skill in preparing concise experimental summaries, figures, tables, protocols, and technical documentation.

Required

Ability to complete all UCLA-required safety, medical surveillance, and containment-specific training before performing assigned regulated or higher-containment work.

Required

Ability to perform occasional evening or weekend work for time-sensitive experiments with reasonable advance notice.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

COVID and Flu Vaccinations: The position is subject to providing evidence of inoculation.

Ability to move and lift up to 25 lbs.

Required

Ability to perform repetitive fine-motor pipetting.

Required

Ability to wear personal protective equipment.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics

•

Labware, incubators, biological safety cabinets, scales, stirrers, pH meter, pipettes, electronic pipettes, cell lines, chemicals, microscope, centrifuge, cell sorter and analyzer, plate reader, qPCR machine, vortex, fridges, freezers, -80C freezer, -150C freezer, vacuum aspirator. water bath.

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 2: Position in which required tasks normally do not involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but may require performing unplanned Classification 1 tasks. In these jobs the normal work performance involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment.