The Atherosclerosis Research Labwithin the UCSF Department of Surgery is offeringan entry-levelresearchassistant position.This opportunity is intendedfor a senior or recent graduate who is interested in gaining laboratoryexperience in preparation for entry into ahealth professional program.
Our laboratory has pioneered the studyof extracellular vesicles andexosomesproduced by macrophagesas modulators of cardiometabolic diseases including diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis.Ongoing projects in the lab aim tostudy the role of Diabetes and the APOE4 gene in altering macrophage-exosome biology and the impact this has on accelerating atherosclerosis, cardiac dysfunction and neurodegeneration in experimental mouse models. We are also developing new methods to produce exosomes that can serve to control cardiovascular disease and diabetes as next generation biologic medicines.
The successful applicant will assist senior lab staff with studies of murine-based projects that involve techniquessuch as exosome production and isolation, western blot, RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, flow cytometry, IHC, ultracentrifugation, cell culture, mouse surgery and husbandry.
Ourprior traineestypically dedicated for 2-4 years of effort to our programbefore moving on tohealth professional programs with multiple publicationscredited totheir names.
Examples of our recent publications can be found online:
PMID: 35292359
PMID: 32668250
PMID: 34381972
PMID:34664784
Essential Functions

• Assist Pl and senior staff with routine laboratory upkeep.
• Assist senior staff with transgenic mouse breeding and PCR genotyping.
• Assist senior staff with routine gel electrophoresis preparation and Western blot of proteins
• Assist senior staff with routine Exosome production and isolation from cultured cells and biofluids, and their study in cell signaling experiments
• Assist senior staff with the harvest of mouse tissues and plasma along with the isolation of hematopoietic cells and lipoproteins using centrifugation and flow cytometry

Job Requirements

• BS in molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry, or in final year of a BS program
• Experience with methods of RNA/DNA and protein isolation and study using biochemical methods
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and assist with the training of junior staff as required
• Strong oral/written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Computer literacy with emphasis on Windows Excel, Adobe Photoshop for data analysis and its graphical output.

The base salary range for this position is $18.48 - $21.42 per hour. The base salary actually offered to a successful candidate will take into account various relevant and non-discriminatory business factors including, without limitation, the candidate's geographic location, job-related experience, knowledge, and skills, and education, as well as internal equity considerations. A successful candidate may also be eligible to earn additional compensation including bonuses.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)