Senior Scientist

LUNDQUIST INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION AT HARBOR-UCLA•Torrance, CA

2d•$90,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Scientist will lead advanced research projects focused on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming and differentiation. The role requires expertise in cellular reprogramming, lineage-specific differentiation, and assay development to support translational research and therapeutic discovery. The Senior Scientist will drive experimental design, mentor junior scientists, collaborate across functions to achieve project milestones, and assist with training and education initiatives. The position is based in a dynamic, multi-user core facility supporting stem cell research. It involves working with human-derived materials and following laboratory safety practices. The role also includes designing and performing experiments, tissue culture and treatments, cell culture and differentiation, organizing and placing orders, and using data-analysis software related to flow cytometry or imaging. The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research organization in Torrance, California. Its researchers work across numerous laboratories and collaborate on research into a range of diseases and biomedical questions.

Requirements

PhD in cell biology or molecular biology.
One to two years of experience in laboratory techniques, including iPSC cell culture.
Hands-on experience with human iPSC culture and maintenance.
Hands-on experience with directed differentiation protocols.
Hands-on experience with sterile cell-culture technique.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Seahorse workflows.
Experience operating 10x Genomics platforms, including Chromium and Visium.
Familiarity with flow cytometry and FACS sorting.
Familiarity with confocal microscopy.
Knowledge of data-analysis software related to flow cytometry or imaging.

Responsibilities

Perform and support experiments involving iPSCs, including maintenance, expansion, and directed differentiation.
Execute sterile cell culture techniques while following quality-control and contamination-prevention standards.
Assist with experimental design, data collection, analysis, and documentation.
Operate and maintain research instrumentation, including FACS sorters, 10x Genomics platforms, and Seahorse assays.
Maintain accurate laboratory records, protocols, and inventory.
Support multiple concurrent core projects and complete assigned tasks on time.
Train and assist core-facility users, fostering a collaborative and service-oriented environment.
Communicate with team members, investigators, and facility users about project needs, progress, and troubleshooting.
Contribute to core laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, and compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
Design and perform experiments, tissue culture and treatments, and cell culture and differentiation.
Organize and place orders.
Assist with training and education initiatives and mentor junior scientists.