Staff Research Associate II

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Radiation Oncology is committed to providing leading-edge, compassionate clinical care, pioneering new therapies for patients, ushering the latest treatments from the laboratory to the clinic and training the next generation of leaders in the specialty. The incumbent will carry out technical responsibilities specified in a number of federally (NIH, NASA) sponsored grant proposals in the field of radiation and chemotherapy-induced brain injury. He/She will be largely responsible for conducting tumor studies in select mouse models, with a major emphasis on orthotopic brain tumor implantation with and without radiosensitizing nanoparticle conjugates, requiring skills in stereotactic live animal surgery, conformal irradiation procedures and imaging. Additional lab duties will involve a variety of procedures necessary for the preparation, imaging and analysis of brain and tumor tissues for immune profiling and in generating fixed and frozen tissue sections used to quantify various CNS and immune specific endpoints. These duties will include tissue blocking, cryostat sectioning, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and data quantification using in house/core software platforms. Another important job duty will entail behavioral testing using video recording and specialized analysis software and to maintain breeding colonies and genotyping of transgenic mice over time. Mouse colony maintenance and behavioral testing will be high priorities for this position and will be the secondary job functions expected on a daily basis. Lastly, the position will be required to maintain accurate research records, perform standard statistical analyses and support general lab duties such as reagent preparation, cleaning and dishware. Familiarity with some but not all of the foregoing will be a prerequisite of employment.

Requirements

Behavioral testing involving rodents
Familiarity with small animal (mouse) handling
Laboratory experience utilizing the techniques and methods itemized above
Experience working independently
Experience in assisting, testing and standardizing immunohistological techniques
Experience in tissue handling and cryostat sectioning
Experience in use of confocal and fluorescent microscopic techniques to assess neural stem/precursor cell populations
Experience in use of routine statistical, data plotting programs
Previous experience with basic laboratory procedures and practices
Willingness to work with animals and radiation sources
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

Nice To Haves

Radiobiology background.

Responsibilities

Conduct tumor studies in select mouse models, with a major emphasis on orthotopic brain tumor implantation with and without radiosensitizing nanoparticle conjugates.
Perform stereotactic live animal surgery, conformal irradiation procedures and imaging.
Prepare, image, and analyze brain and tumor tissues for immune profiling.
Generate fixed and frozen tissue sections to quantify various CNS and immune specific endpoints.
Perform tissue blocking and cryostat sectioning.
Utilize confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.
Quantify data using in-house/core software platforms.
Conduct behavioral testing using video recording and specialized analysis software.
Maintain breeding colonies and perform genotyping of transgenic mice.
Maintain accurate research records.
Perform standard statistical analyses.
Support general lab duties such as reagent preparation, cleaning, and dishware.