Basic Science Research Associate - Pharmacology

La Jolla

9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92037, United States

Payroll Title

SRA 1

Department

PHARMACOLOGY

Hiring Pay Scale

$28.69 - $34.22 / Hour

Worksite

La Jolla

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

RX Contract

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 8- our Shifts, Monday-Friday

#139273 Basic Science Research Associate - Pharmacology

Filing Deadline: Wed 4/29/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 4/17/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The UCSD Department of Pharmacology is one of two basic science units in the School of Medicine where world-class researchers investigate the molecular basis of human diseases. The faculty are internationally renowned for their strength in elucidating basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of signal transduction that lead to innovative drug target identification and ultimately to drug discovery. 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. More than one hundred trainees at the graduate student and postdoctoral level, as well as a staff of more than 50 research technicians and department administrators interact closely with the faculty. 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 interested individuals to become a part of our dynamic exploratory research and educational environment.

Under supervision, incumbent will assist lab members with standard experimental research techniques, cell culture, live cell imaging, and data analysis. Incumbent will assist with maintenance of mouse breeding colonies and perform laboratory maintenance duties including ordering supplies, making buffers, and handling reagent requests. Incumbent will oversee undergraduate helper in making buffers.

Incumbent must interact easily with faculty, postdoctoral scholars, students, and research technicians in a large laboratory.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry or biology.

• Knowledge and experience in basic laboratory procedures and equipment, including sterile techniques, preparation of buffers and media, cell culture, PCR, plasmid preps, and protein analysis and purification.

• Ability to maintain careful, legible and well-organized laboratory notes.

• Ability to follow basic research protocols and to understand and execute both written and verbal instructions and tasks on schedule.

• Experience with performing protein assays and protein gel electrophoresis.

• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety and ability to work carefully with potentially harmful agents.

• Tact and diplomacy to interact with a variety of individuals including faculty, staff, students and foreign scholars.

• Willingness to learn new techniques.

• Attention to protocol and details.

• Ability to work well with others; take orders and explain protocols to others.

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively.

• Manual dexterity to perform experiments and manipulate lab equipment.

• Experience with and skill in using computers.

• Experience with Western blots especially of tissue from animals.

• Knowledge of microscopy techniques.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and experience in basic animal room work, including maintaining and breeding mouse colonies.

• Knowledge of protein purification techniques.

• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9.

• Knowledge of kinases and phosphatases.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends, if necessary.

• Willingness to work with rodents.

• Willingness to work with hazardous materials.

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