Staff Research Associate 2 Non Exempt

SRA 2 NEX (009617)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_131

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

3/28/2024 5:38:55 PM

Date Last Edited:

3/28/2024 5:38:50 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_131

Position Description ID

171980

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:

40043149

Reports to Payroll Title:

Professor

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40881053

Department Head Payroll Title:

CAO

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and other laboratory associates, the Staff Research Associate II provides advanced technical support to members of the research team on various projects including developing new immunotherapy against cancer, studying progression of epithelial cancer, and understanding dysregulated cell metabolism in cancer.  Job duties include maintaining cell lines in tissue culture, lentiviral vector generation, flow cytometry, advanced cellular and molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, cloning, cell sorting, etc), handling in vivo mouse models (subcutaneous injections, tumor harvesting, survival surgeries/procedures, etc), organizing daily lab activities, and attending regular lab meetings. 

Work is assigned and reviewed by the PI based on current collaborative project needs. Incumbent completes on-going tasks following established laboratory procedures. All work is assigned and reviewed by the supervisor regularly. Supervisory control is maintained through frequent informal discussions, feedback on service levels provided, and periodic formal reporting.

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and other laboratory associates, the Staff Research Associate II provides advanced technical support to members of the research team on various projects including developing new immunotherapy against cancer, studying progression of epithelial cancer, and understanding dysregulated cell metabolism in cancer.  Job duties include maintaining cell lines in tissue culture, lentiviral vector generation, flow cytometry, advanced cellular and molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, cloning, cell sorting, etc), handling in vivo mouse models (subcutaneous injections, tumor harvesting, survival surgeries/procedures, etc), organizing daily lab activities, and attending regular lab meetings. 

Work is assigned and reviewed by the PI based on current collaborative project needs. Incumbent completes on-going tasks following established laboratory procedures. All work is assigned and reviewed by the supervisor regularly. Supervisory control is maintained through frequent informal discussions, feedback on service levels provided, and periodic formal reporting.

Basic Tissue Culture

A-1. Maintain multiple cell lines

A-2. Prepare sterile solutions

A-3. Lentiviral vector generation

30%

General Lab Duties

B-1. Prepare individual reagents and solutions

B-2. Assist with preparation of group reagents

B-3. Perform routine assays

B-4. Prepare samples for in vivo mouse models

30%

Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology Processing

C-1. Activating, maintaining and engineering immune cells 

C-2. Setting up cytotoxicity assays

C-3. Performing various assays using hydrogel-based nanovials

C-4. Immunohistochemistry analysis on harvested tissues

C-5. Preparation and running flow cytometry samples

40%

•

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

Bachelor's degree or higher in a biological science field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

Lab Experience

Must have at least 3 years of relevant lab experience.

Required

1. Detail-oriented work habits, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Required

2. Ability to work independently and perform lab procedures with minimal supervision once trained.

Required

3. Ability to improve tests/experiments that are unsatisfactory after studying and analyzing available literature.

Required

4. Experience with sterile cell culture techniques, and media/reagent preparation.

Required

5. Skill in conducting in vivo experiments including survival surgery.

Preferred

6. Experience with advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques.

Required

7. Experience with analyzing and interpreting molecular/cellular biology experimental data.

Required

8. Experience with immunohistochemistry.

Preferred

9. Skill in advanced flow cytometry experiments including sample preparation, analysis (using FACSDiva and FlowJo).

Required

10. Experience with lentiviral preparation and transduction.

Required

11. Ability to independently design and clone DNA plasmids for various purposes.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

UCLA Campus

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 1: Position in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, potential spills, and splashes. Use of appropriate measures is required for every employee in this position.