Staff Research Associate - Pediatrics - 139105

The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 250 Faculty, 127 postdoctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 320 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 68 clinical residents distributed across the Divisions. The missions of research, education and patient care are intertwined, and are integral to the goals of the department.

The Department manages a university-affiliated children's health system with the physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's Hospital, and Rady Children's Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Practice Foundation, unifying pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs.

The Bode Laboratory in the UCSD Department of Pediatrics is dedicated to research on human milk in general and Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) in particular. The lab's main research objectives are to elucidate (i) how milk components are synthesized in the mother's mammary gland, (ii) how milk composition is affected by external factors such as nutrition, pathogens, or medications, (iii) how milk components affect immediate as well as long-term health and development of infants and mothers, and (iv) how they can serve as natural templates for the development of preventatives, therapeutics, and diagnostics for people of all ages. For more information about the group and our research program, visit http://www.bodelab.com.

Under supervision, the incumbent will play a role in the day-to-day operation for the maintenance of basic laboratory operations in the Bode Laboratory in the UCSD Department of Pediatrics. The incumbent's primary responsibility will be to participate in sample processing and milk analysis. For example, they will extract and derivatize milk oligosaccharide samples for analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and measure milk bioactives using multiplex ELISA. The incumbent will also manage the isolation and purification of milk oligosaccharides by size exclusion chromatography as well as affinity chromatography. They will manage general maintenance of laboratory equipment. Maintain sample and reagent organization and inventory. Maintain and manage hazardous waste in laboratory in compliance with EH&S. Maintain glassware and plastic ware in laboratory. Monitor supply inventory and routine ordering. Manage and monitor lab safety and post safety information. Additionally, the incumbent will conduct small animal research studies and be involved in colony management and upkeep. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory experience in the natural, physical or social sciences as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience measuring and weighing chemicals, preparing solutions; and knowledge and ability to prepare a variety of reagents.

• Experience with analyzing bioactive components using ELISA, ideally with a multiplex platform.

• Experience with and understanding of basic laboratory equipment.

• Experience in reporting and communicating study results.

• Experience with procedures such as liquid chromatography, Western Blotting, RT-PCR.

• Skill and knowledge to maintain an organized lab, stocks and orders of essential supplies and reagents, and to ensure lab equipment is running efficiently.

• Prior experience and knowledge of proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials including biohazards.

• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills to communicate research results. Prior experience and skill in updating, revising and editing laboratory procedures.

• Proficient with Windows XP OS, with an ability to work with a variety of computer applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and with a willingness and ability to increase skills and knowledge as needed.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, and patience in dealing with students, faculty, staff, and corporate/industrial representatives.

• Knowledge in and experience with glycobiology in general and milk oligosaccharides in particular.

• Knowledge in and experience with sterile techniques, working with tissue cultures.

• Experience working with mice. Experience with animal husbandry.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to handle and be around animals.

• Must be willing to handle and be around hazardous chemicals and materials.

• Must be willing to handle biohazard materials.