Research Associate

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

A Research Associate position is available immediately in the Saito laboratory to study hepatic cell biology, hepatic inflammation, and innate antiviral immunology. The laboratory utilizes state-of-the-art humanized liver chimeric mouse models and tools from cell biology, virology, genetics, molecular biology, and systems biology. The ideal candidate is a hardworking, creative, and highly self-motivated researcher interested in liver disease (e.g., metabolic liver disease, viral hepatitis, liver inflammation, and hepatic immunity) and pathogen-host interaction. The role requires significant experience with in vitro and in vivo experiments, including primary cell isolation/culture, general molecular biology, biochemistry, and in vivo study skills. This encompasses protein assays (Western Blotting, Immunoprecipitation, gel analysis), nucleic acid techniques (cloning, PCR, RT-QPCR, RNA synthesis, transfection, extraction, gene overexpression/silencing), and microscopic analysis (immune fluorescent staining, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), light microscopy, image analysis and processing).

Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate
1 year minimum experience in research specialization with advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and analysis methods
Significant experience with in vitro and in vivo experiments (mouse)
Experience with primary cell isolation/culture
Experience with general molecular biology
Experience with biochemistry
Experience with protein assays (Western Blotting, Immunoprecipitation, gel analysis)
Experience with nucleic acids (DNA and RNA such as cloning, PCR, RT-QPCR, RNA synthesis, transfection, extraction, gene overexpression/silencing)
Experience with microscopic analysis (immune fluorescent staining, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), light microscopy and image analysis and processing)
Fluent in the use of laboratory equipment
Fluent in the use of computer/research/office software to conduct analyses of experiment data

Nice To Haves

4-6 years in wet lab (including PhD training)
Expertise in in vitro and in vivo experiments in the field of immunology (pathogen-host interactions), general cell biology, and biochemistry

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and conduct highly technical research projects under the PI's guidance
Identify the research question, design, and perform experiments, as well as the analysis of research data and provide interpretations
Serve as a lead author for publication and conference presentation
Contribute to the quality control of the laboratory, such as preparation of general experimental materials, maintenance of laboratory protocols, safety guidelines, and animal protocols