Lab Assistant

University of California, Irvine • Irvine, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

UC Irvine is a prestigious public university known for its academic achievement and premier research. The UC Irvine Stem Cell Research Center is a dynamic center with interdisciplinary investigators across multiple schools. The center has state-of-the-art facilities and has secured significant grant and foundation funds. The center's research programs include NIH-sponsored training grants, shared equipment, research services, and a seminar series.

Requirements

• Mammalian cell culture experience
• Skill to pipet accurately
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English
• Previous laboratory experience, following basic laboratory procedures and practices
• Functions well in a team environment
• Availability to work occasional nights and weekends
• Demonstrates ability to analyze problems/situations and formulate solutions
• Ability to exercise good judgment in handling information to accurately record information, protocols, formulas and data
• Experience with general lab equipment: pipets, scales, pH meters, centrifuges, power supplies, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate easily and effectively with people within and outside the University, including both strong written and verbal communications
• Demonstrated experience in participating in discussion related to research projects
• Strong ability to multi-task, prioritize and follow up
• Skill to use an iPhone, iPad, personal computer, computer software programs at the level of sophistication required for general office work
• Experience with PCs and/or Macs
• Knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with the Internet and how to conduct searches
• Proficient writing skills to prepare/compose/review a variety of materials with accuracy and completeness
• Experience in assisting, testing and standardizing techniques
• 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 knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position
• Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

Nice To Haves

• MicroBrightField StereoInvestigator, Volocity and Imaris image analysis software
• Performing survival and terminal surgical procedures in rodents
• Histological analyses including tissue sectioning staining and/or quantification using stereological analysis of CNS tissue samples
• Mouse brain microdissection
• Neural induction from pluripotent cells
• Engineering/bioengineering cell analysis platforms, 3D biomaterials, and sectioning
• Databases for ordering and inventory

Responsibilities

• Assisting with experiments
• Working as part of a team
• Performing independent tasks
• Attending staff meetings
• Writing/updating/distributing lab protocols, SOPS, project plans/summaries/reports
• Training new personnel
• Preparing solutions
• Maintaining detailed paper and electronic records of study data
• Adhering to all experimental protocol and good laboratory practices
• Maintaining safety training and safe work procedures
• Lab maintenance including supply inventory, equipment maintenance, cleaning, organizing, and managing lab spaces and materials
• Assisting in animal laboratory research projects
• Setting up animal cages
• Tissue collection for genotyping
• Performing survival and terminal surgical procedures in rodents
• Daily monitoring of animals for health
• Assisting with histological analyses including tissue sectioning staining and/or quantification using stereological analysis of CNS tissue samples
• Maintenance of multiple cell lines (mouse or human stem cells, cortical cells, etc.)
• Performing cell culture assays
• Performing flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry
• DNA/RNA/Protein isolation and electrophoresis
• PCR, rtPCR, qPCR
• Western Blot
• Molecular Cloning
• ELISA
• Isolating neural stem cells by mouse brain microdissection
• Passaging, maintaining, expanding and freezing human and mouse neural and pluripotent stem cells
• Performing neural induction from pluripotent cells
• Performing cell analysis by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and FACS
• Preparing stock solutions, cell culture media
• Assisting other researchers in the lab
• Maintaining and updating lab social media accounts (Twitter and BlueSky)
• Arranging travel for invited talks and conferences (coordinating with PI and institutions, reserving flights, hotels, rental cars, filing paperwork for reimbursement)
• Assisting the lab manager with requesting quotes and placing orders for lab supplies and equipment
• Maintaining a detailed record of orders and expenses for budgeting purposes

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Sick and vacation time
• Retirement savings plans
• Access to a number of discounts and perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree