Laboratory Assistant II - 132246 - UC San Diego
San Diego, CA 92103
About the Job
#132246 Laboratory Assistant II
Filing Deadline: Mon 9/23/2024UC San Diego values equity, diversity, and inclusion. 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.
This is a UC San Diego Internal Recruitment open to UCSD and UCSD Health Staff Only.
UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 09/19/24 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 09/23/24. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
DESCRIPTION
UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.
Our laboratories conduct NIH-funded human and animal research on brain functioning in neurocognitive disorders such as bipolar disorder, HIV, substance use conditions, anxiety, as well as other psychiatric illnesses. Research is primarily conducted in an outpatient setting and with rodents.
The incumbent will work as a Laboratory Assistant II under the supervision of the Principal Investigators and Co-investigators and alongside other lab personnel to assist with two laboratories in running neuropsychological and psychophysiological studies within the Department of Psychiatry. In the rodent laboratory, assisting with viral, and behavioral experiments with mice within a lab that focuses on mouse models of anxiety and depression related behaviors, and the mechanism of action of antidepressants within the Department of Psychiatry. Will also maintain accurate records of testing as instructed, and help with documenting and using procedures to weigh and dissolve drugs, weigh animals, and assist with collecting and sorting data. Maintain neat and accurate records. Assist with paperwork, and keep journals and publications up to date. In the human laboratory, the incumbent's major responsibility is to assist with recruitment and screening of participants. The incumbent will also assist with coordinating participation of human participants in NIH-funded research projects on psychiatric disorders, HIV, and substance dependence. Assist with setup of psychophysiological paradigms and basic neuropsychological tests. Will assist with administering diagnostic interviews and symptom rating scales to human participants. Data entry into the research database. May perform clerical tasks such as making copies, helping to reconcile human participants payments, and ordering supplies. Maintain lab cleanliness as a required task, as well as assisting supervisor with tasks as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in psychiatry, psychology and related fields and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with individuals with psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and substance dependence and medical illnesses such as HIV.
Demonstrated experience with recruitment of participants in a human psychology or sociology laboratory setting.
Demonstrated ability and experience in using tact, diplomacy, and discretion when communicating with research participants. Ability to communicate effectively with members of the research team and all levels of laboratory personnel.
Experience in Microsoft Word and data entry using Microsoft Excel, Access, SPSS, or similar data entry software.
Experience with clinical laboratory maintenance.
Ability to organize and prioritize work and maintain neatness in the work setting. Demonstrated detailed organizational and record-keeping skills.
Demonstrated experience assisting with administering an eyeblink paradigm and an ambulatory monitoring paradigm.
Experience with running computerized data collection software such as video and electrode recordings using written protocols.
Ability to assist SRA with communicating with recruitment programs such as BuildClinical, clinicaltrials.gov, and other sources of participant accrual.
Experience with laboratory computers and specialized data collection software (Med Associates, Affymetrics) and specialized behavioral testing equipment (Med Associates, Affymetrics open field).
Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to develop good rapport with human subjects, maintain sensitivity to subject's fatigue or discomfort.
Proven ability to order and receive supplies from scientific suppliers (Sigma, Fisher etc.)
Ability to use cryostat.
Ability to assist with infusing viruses into mouse brain.
Ability to perform PCR on tail samples taken from mice.
Experience performing behavioral studies with rodents. Experience handling mice (restraining, eartagging, injections, etc.).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
University coursework in organic/inorganic chemistry and laboratory techniques (pipetting, solution preparation, dosage calculation, etc.).
Demonstrated experience in administering symptom-rating scales for psychosis, mania, depression, and substance abuse such as the PANSS, YMRS, HAM-D, and substance use questionnaires.
Demonstrated experience in administering paper-and-pencil and computerized problem-solving/neuropsychological tests such as the Iowa Gambling Task, Continuous Performance Task, UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment, and others.
Knowledge of calculating dosages and dissolving a variety of chemicals, including drug weighing and dilution.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
Must be able to handle biological samples (blood and urine specimens).
Must have reliable transportation to travel to local public venue.
Must be willing to handle and euthanize mice.
Must be flexible to work variable hours, overtime, nights, and/or weekends if necessary for experimental purposes.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $45,999 - $54,079 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $22.03 - $25.90
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.
UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!
Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.
UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
For the University of Californias Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
For the University of Californias Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.
