UCSD Health Sciences is a $1 billion dollar plus organization encompassing 17 academic departments (15 clinical, 2 basic sciences), 2 pre-academic/hospital departments, 2 professional schools (School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2 hospitals, and various other programs and units all dedicated towards fulfilling the Health Sciences missions. The UCSD Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) is one of two basic science units in the School of Medicine where world-class researchers study fundamental cellular processes and pathways using a variety of techniques from classical genetics and fluorescence microscopy to high-throughput genomics, systems biology, and crystallography. Our 36 faculty and over 200 postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and research staff work on the cutting edge of biology, cutting across fields from basic biochemistry and genetics to genomics, systems biology and stem cell biology. The faculty also play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars. The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically-advanced, and deeply interested individuals who are ready to become a part of our dynamic research and educational environment.

The Center for Network Medicine [www.cnetmed.ucsd.edu] is striving towards a goal of understanding the fundamental principles that allow eukaryotic cells to do their business, i.e., iteratively sense, decide, act and learn/adapt. We hypothesize that they do so through an ad hoc molecular interaction network whose architectural principles and computational rules are similar to those used in the layered communication systems in the engineering world. These rules enable noise reduction, error minimization, shielding and encapsulation of breakdowns, control of delays and state explosion, etc. Success in decoding these fundamental rules should not only enable us to complete and 'clean up' the existing incomplete and messy biological networks, but also use these network for simulating and predicting cell behavior. This will usher a new era in network-based diagnostic tools and network-resetting therapeutics for major diseases. On the flip side, knowing how a cell autonomously carries out its business will provide insights into designing new kinds of self-organizing networks (SON) and provide a novel paradigm (beyond artificial neural networks) for developing Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Under supervision, incumbent will prepare samples and assist in assays for molecular biology, cell biology and protein biochemistry. Assist with preparation of cell culture. Assist with animal genotyping and animal tissue collection. Make routine analyses and record results in a notebook.

In addition, the assistant will aid Lab manager with taking inventory of supplies, entering ordering requests, organization of lab space, maintain cleanliness of lab, maintain lab equipment, prepare buffers, media, and solutions, following and maintaining lab safety protocols, and other lab tasks as needed.

Specifically, this position will involve: -Assist in preparing media and reagent preparation, glassware cleaning, autoclave sterilization, pouring and storage of microbiological media plates.-Assist with conducting cell biology techniques and methodologies: includes tissue culture, transfections, expression of proteins in bacteria and mammalian cells, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, protein purification, protein-protein interactions.-Assist in conducting DNA restriction analysis, cloning, and extractions.-Assist in RNA extraction and qPCR analysis.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

• Ability to prepare solutions.

• Ability to maintain laboratory supplies, keeping written records, and data collection.

• Basic knowledge of basic chemistry and math required for preparing solutions.

• Skill and ability to operate various lab instruments.

• Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as Filemaker, MS Word and Excel. Experience with PC platform and applications is preferred.

• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment with all levels including faculty, senior researchers, graduate students, undergraduates and those from various backgrounds with tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to read, and learn to interpret and apply protocols in conducting research. Ability in following step wise experimental protocols.

• Good organizational skills to order and maintain lab equipment and supplies. Ability to perform general lab maintenance, including cleaning and restocking supplies. Experienced working and maintaining a sterile environment.

• Ability to perform effective time management skills.

• Familiarity working in a laboratory that performs research to understand how lymphocytes develop and survive and how this complex regulation can impact various diseases in the human population.

• College-level coursework, including molecular biology.

• Experience with mouse handling, surgeries, anesthesia, injections, euthanasia, and tissue harvest.

• Knowledge of UCSD Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Knowledge of radiation safety and biosafety techniques and practices. Experience to work with chemical, radioisotope, and biological hazards and to recognize safety problems.

• Capable of operating and maintaining lab equipment such as, Biosafety cabinets, CO2 incubators, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and PCR machine.

• Ability to care for small lab animals, as well as working with animal and human tissues.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.