Staff Research Associate - LC-MS/MS

University of California San Francisco • San Francisco, CA

8d • $28 - $45

About The Position

The UCSF Hair Analytical Laboratory (HAL) analyzes antiretroviral, anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB), antibiotic, and controlled substance concentrations in hair (but may include other biological specimens such as urine, dried blood spot (DBS), whole blood, plasma, serum, nail, saliva, etc.) in the context of HIV and TB prevention and treatment studies using assays that are developed and validated according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA’s) guidelines for bioanalytical methods and the National Institute of Health’s (NIH’s) Division of AIDS’ (DAIDS) Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance Program (CPQA). This position is responsible for overseeing and maintaining high quality regulatory functions in the laboratory. This HAL Staff Research Associate II position will assist senior analysts and train and mentor junior analysts to determine drug concentrations in samples utilizing validated high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) bioanalytical methods. The purpose of this position is to design, develop, and execute a variety of analytical methods to quantitate antiretroviral, anti-TB, antibiotic drugs, controlled substances, and/or other biomarkers using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), primarily in hair samples (but may include other biological specimens, such as urine, DBS, whole blood, plasma, serum, nail, saliva, etc.), for pharmacokinetic, compliance, and efficacy studies. Techniques may include, but not limited to, protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and solid phase extraction (SPE). The successful candidate will have some knowledge and engage in analytical LC/MS/MS method development, validation, and the assaying of clinical samples in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and National Institute of Health (NIH's) Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance (CPQA) regulatory guidelines. In addition, the candidate will also be required to prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Analytical Validation Reports (AVR) for submission to Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance (CPQA); respond to inquiries from CPQA; train and mentor new staff members after successfully completing and understanding internal laboratory SOPs; operate and calibrate analytical instruments; use and calibrate micropipettes; prepare, analyze, run, and interpret data; and thoroughly document in lab books, log books, and paperwork. The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. The salary range for this position is $28.04 - $45.09 (Hourly Rate). To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Requirements

• BA/BS in a related science and one or more years of recent, directly related work experience, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with preparing a linear standard curve with quality controls to process and quantitate unknown drug concentrations in biological matrices
• At least one year of related scientific techniques and procedures as learned from academic laboratory or field experimental experience utilizing LC-MS/MS systems (preferably Micromass Quattro Ultima (MassLynx software), Sciex 7500+ QTRAP (Sciex OS software), and/or Agilent 6495 (MassHunter software) and HPLC systems, along with troubleshooting these pieces of equipment
• Demonstrate reliability, organizational skills, attention to detail, and record keeping abilities based on prior experience
• Outstanding communication skills
• Strong basic laboratory techniques, such as micropipetting; measuring solutions using volumetric flasks and graduated cylinders; making reagents, mobile phases, and standard solutions; using centrifuges, vortexers, and other equipment in an analytical laboratory
• Computer software skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of the basic principles in chemistry
• Strong lab book preparation and documentation skills
• At least one year of Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) experience
• Prior knowledge in the US FDA Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and the NIH DAIDS Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance (CPQA) regulations

Responsibilities

• Assist senior analysts and train and mentor junior analysts to determine drug concentrations in samples utilizing validated high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) bioanalytical methods.
• Design, develop, and execute a variety of analytical methods to quantitate antiretroviral, anti-TB, antibiotic drugs, controlled substances, and/or other biomarkers using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), primarily in hair samples (but may include other biological specimens, such as urine, DBS, whole blood, plasma, serum, nail, saliva, etc.), for pharmacokinetic, compliance, and efficacy studies.
• Engage in analytical LC/MS/MS method development, validation, and the assaying of clinical samples in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and National Institute of Health (NIH's) Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance (CPQA) regulatory guidelines.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Analytical Validation Reports (AVR) for submission to Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance (CPQA); respond to inquiries from CPQA; train and mentor new staff members after successfully completing and understanding internal laboratory SOPs; operate and calibrate analytical instruments; use and calibrate micropipettes; prepare, analyze, run, and interpret data; and thoroughly document in lab books, log books, and paperwork.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees