Current UC San Diego Health employees who apply by 12/12/2024 will have priority consideration for this position. Recruiters will refer qualified internal candidates after the first 7 days of the job posting. All qualified external applicants and additional internal applicants who apply after the priority date may have further consideration pending the results of the initial review.

The Department of Medicine (DOM) is the largest department within the UCSD School of Medicine and is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. The department employs approximately 500 salaried faculty, 168 academic appointees, 331 residents, fellows, and postdocs and 479 staff personnel.

The Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine conducts research studies on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)y, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), and Cirrhosis, in adult patients. The Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASHCRN) is a multi-center study funded by NIH and is sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to focus on the etiology, contributing factors, natural history, complications, and therapy of NASH and NAFLD. UCSD is one of eight sites nationwide associated with this study.

In addition, the NAFLD Research Center participates in numerous pharmaceutical clinical trials and the principal investigator (PI) initiated studies that focus on the discovery and validation of innovative biomarkers for NAFLD, with a special focus on identifying those patients at greatest risk for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), advanced liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The incumbent maintains the day-to-day operations of the NAFLD Research Center lab, working in close cooperation with the management team, PIs, clinical research coordinators, other lab assistants, students, and visiting scholars.

Under supervision from Principal Investigator and the Lab Technician, will perform day-to-day processing of bio-specimens and other lab procedures. They will also provide work direction and teach laboratory procedures to undergraduate students graduate students, and assist postdoctoral/visiting scholars. Will ship samples to collaborators. Will perform general laboratory maintenance and assist with equipment maintenance. The incumbent will also manage the department's biorepository which stores thousands of specimens used for various research purposes, including collaborations with both UCSD departments and external organizations. This involves implementing and maintaining tracking systems to ensure real time accounting for all specimens collected, shipped to collaborators, and stored onsite. The incumbent will monitor lab safety issues and be the primary contact for any alerts related to the freezers housing the biorepository specimens.

Position also involves monitoring lab kits for industry sponsored studies to ensure kits are replaced prior to expiration dates and is responsible for the breakdown and disposal of expired kits. The position also encompasses a variety of laboratory management duties that include overseeing ordering, inventory, equipment upkeep, interfacing with neighboring laboratories and collaborators, and provides work direction and laboratory assistants.

Other tasks as assigned

• Theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge of biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry attained through a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and laboratory experience.

• Knowledge processing and organizing biorepository specimens.

• Experience with a variety of laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, bioguard hood, microscope, pipeters, autoclave, balances, incubator.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain data accurately. Proficient computer skills including word processing, graphics application.

• Basic knowledge of laboratory procedures

• Ability to effectively train and motivate junior research technicians and students. Ability to provide work direction and work in a team environment.

• Ability to collaborate with other team members in the laboratory (PIs,Clinical Research Coordinators, Scholars, Students, etc.).

• Experience following and leading established lab protocols and lab procedures.

• Experience working with biospecimens isolated from subjects with MASLD related research.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.