Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center SRA - 135920

In 2022, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford committed $150 million to the creation of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego. This gift combines current infrastructure with new Centers intended to leverage the advantages of space-based science, including expansion and, in some ways, quite literally launch stem cell research and regenerative medicine at UC San Diego into new spaces, endeavors, and training of future stem cell scientists.

Sanford Stem Cell Institute provides essential physical and human resources needed to leverage stem cell research currently being conducted at UC San Diego. Due to the complexity of regenerative medicine projects and substantial institutional investment, daily Sanford Stem Cell Institute personnel work with all 9 Vice Chancellor areas: Academic Affairs; Research Affairs; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Student Affairs; Marine Sciences; Health Sciences; Health System; Chief Financial Officer; Advancement; Resource Management and Planning.

As part of UC San Diego, Sanford Stem Cell Institute motivates University-wide change, sustainability, and partnership, focusing on creating the structure under which various innovative regenerative medicine units and initiatives are developed.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute builds upon a $100 million gift in 2013 from T. Denny Sanford that established UC San Diego as a leader in developing and delivering the therapeutic promise of human stem cells - special cells with the ability to develop into many different cell types and which, when modified and repurposed, have the potential to treat, remedy or cure a vast array of conditions and diseases.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute includes six (6) stem cell Centers led by Center Directors and Deputy Directors and one (1) Brain Tumor and Neuro-Restoration Program.

1. Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) Center, for stem cell research that will be conducted in a laboratory bay located aboard the International Space Station currently in low-Earth orbit.

2. Sanford Stem Cell Fitness and Space Medicine Center, which conducts in-depth space fitness and orbital medicine that can benefit both astronauts and people living on Earth.

3. Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center, which will support regenerative medicine company development, including contract research in low-Earth orbit.

4. Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, which conducts basic and translational stem cell research.

5. Sanford Advanced Therapy Center, which provides fundamental tools and services to move basic research findings to next stages, such as early phase trials.

6. Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, which conducts research to accelerate relevant drug and therapy development in regenerative medicine, including clinical trials.

The Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center Senior Research Associate IV will assist with and perform standard laboratory procedures in the Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center involving induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells, their differentiated cellular models, and other experimental procedures. Under direction of the Center Director and guidance of the Center Manager, the incumbent will perform work requiring a combination of significant knowledge and skills in multiple scientific disciplines related to next-generation sequencing technologies, molecular biology and cloning, and projects involving functional genomics and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques. Experience with automated liquid handling instruments would be a plus.

The incumbent will assist PI and other lab members with studies, including 1) General growth and maintenance of various cell lines, 2) stem cell maintenance and differentiation, 3) functional genomics in stem cell-related models, 4) characterization and validation of resultant phenotypes and 5) automated platform development. Experimental procedures will include molecular biology (molecular cloning, generation of high-throughput libraries, PCR, and DNA/RNA isolation etc.) and maintaining undifferentiated and differentiated stem cell cell models as well as basic cellular biology, biochemistry, and genomics techniques (cell transfection, genomic screening, gene and protein expression, and maintenance of biochemistry equipment). Perform tissue culture of primary cells and cell lines, preparation of lentiviruses and viral transduction techniques. Furthermore, work will include operating automated liquid handlers. Other tasks as required by the supervisor and senior scientists. Incumbent will also be involved with general lab organization procedures.

Additionally, this position will involve overseeing lab safety protocols and procedures, as well as providing work direction and training to lab members of varying experience levels in all required lab safety practices. Responsibilities will include maintaining a lab environment that complies with all laboratory safety rules and regulations, coordinating with regulatory agencies to schedule and conduct routine safety audits, and keeping up-to-date records of safety training documentation.

The incumbent will also be responsible for coordinating with account advisors, UCSD procurement and contracts employees, and disbursements. Handling material transfer agreements, shipping and receiving items, returning items, and communicating with sales representatives on behalf of the lab will also be required. The incumbent will oversee general lab upkeep, including, but not limited to: handling waste pickups, scheduling maintenance for equipment, and keeping the lab in working order. The Senior Research Associate will serve as the most senior research associate and lab leader, providing mentoring, training, and work direction. This position will also involve communication and conflict resolution with other labs on behalf of lab members to maintain a communal lab environment.

The research performed will be of high impact and results in co-authored publication in addition to performing revisions of experiments as well as contributing to the draft of manuscripts. The Senior Research Associate will design experiments and troubleshoot protocols to reach research goals.

• Advanced theoretical knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, immunology, stem cell, functional genomics or related field typically acquired with a terminal degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Advanced experience performing molecular biology techniques including Cloning, PCR, DNA preparation/extraction, gel electrophoresis, and Southern Blot.

• Strong demonstrated experience in constructing cDNA libraries (CLIP, RNA-seq, scRNAseq) for analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.

• Proven demonstrated ability to independently apply and use scientific knowledge to analyze and optimize experimental protocols.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively maintain organization of very large amounts of experimental data and metadata.

• Advanced experience in performing biochemistry and laboratory techniques and demonstrated experience to prepare buffers and solutions, as well as various staining solutions.

• Advanced demonstrated experience performing immunoprecipitation, western blotting, and other immunoassays.

• Experience with the using confocal, light, fluorescence microscopes.

• Advanced experience in following step wise experimental protocols.

• Proven demonstrated experience with CRISPR technology and high-throughput screening methods.

• Proven demonstrated experience in using automated liquid handlers.

• Demonstrated high level experience with complex lab maintenance including troubleshooting and demonstrated experience to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines.

• Proven ability to effectively train fellow lab members in specialized molecular biology and biochemical techniques.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain successful effective working relationships with other staff members, students, faculty and scientists in a multi-cultural lab.

• Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials.

• Proven willingness to comply to UCSD policies and procedures and to stay informed and comply with basic safety rules and issues.

• Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as MS Word and Excel, Google docs and sheets, Benchling etc.

• Proven ability to prioritize and perform efficiently.

• Should be cable to serve as first author of peer-reviewed publications. This can include writing and providing data/results/conclusions for scientific papers, technical notes, grant updates, and funding applications.

• Proven demonstrated experience contributing to the design, performance, troubleshooting, modification and analysis of experiments and protocols.

• Knowledge of UCSD purchasing processes and procedures.

• Willing and able to work with radioactive isotopes (P32) and other radiolabeled material when necessary.

• Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory safety, rules and regulations. Knowledge of UC San Diego EH&S guidelines, etc. preferred.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Willingness to work with animals, adenovirus, lentivirus, radioactive material, human genomic tissue and standard hazardous laboratory compounds.

• Willing to work evenings and weekends when necessary.