Career Center

The Staff Research Associate (SRA) provides support for users of the Gnotobiotic Core mouse facility, including basic facility maintenance and husbandry within gnotobiotic isolators, such as monitoring food, water, and bedding conditions, monitoring stocks of consumables and reordering in a timely manner, and maintaining detailed records of tasks performed, in addition to other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will also have the ability to perform advanced experimental techniques as needed to help to Core users as they plan and execute experiments (for example, the SRA may administer experimental agents via oral, i.p., or subcutaneous routes, and follow up with experimental disease scoring and tracking, dissection and processing of tissues, or other techniques deemed experimentally necessary on behalf of Core users). Lab techniques performed by the SRA may include (but are not limited to): DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, microbial cultures, gram staining, and genotyping.

The SRA is also expected to participate in research and development of new techniques and methods for the core facility, which may lead to scientific publications and follow-up experiments. S/he must be comfortable performing mouse health checks and interacting with UCSF veterinary and facilities staff as necessary. We are looking for a detail-oriented and self-directed person who has the desire to learn new skill sets, contribute to the problem-solving nature of our facility, and can help to manage day-to-day requirements of the facility. Direct supervision and training will be provided for the Staff Research Associate 1.

Key Responsibilities:

• Breeding and mouse husbandry within gnotobiotic isolators
• Preparation, sterilization and introduction of food, cages, bedding, water, and environmental enrichment
• Collection of fecal pellets, culturing, DNA isolation, PCR to determine germ-free status
• Assisting with experiments: mouse colonization, weighing mice, organ harvesting, making scientific measurements as needed
• Cleaning and sterilization of equipment between experiments
• Gnotobiotic facility maintenance (sweeping, mopping)
• Maintaining database of mouse colony
• Interacting with LARC/IACUC/EHS staff as necessary (inspections, vet rounds, facility maintenance)
• Monitoring, ordering, and restocking consumables as necessary
• Organizing daily/weekly order of operations for the Core