Job Description

Gaw Lab - Associate Specialist
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
UC San Francisco

The Gaw Lab is seeking an Associate Specialist to join our collaborative group to study maternal-fetal immune responses.

Gaw Lab Focus: The lab is focused on understanding of the unique innate and adaptive immune responses in pregnancy to infection and vaccination, with a focus on global infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, malaria, Zika, and RSV. Our studies leverage biospecimens collected from pregnancy cohorts to understand placental responses to infectious exposure, and the functional impact on placental development as it relates to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The Associate Specialist will have the opportunity to take a leadership role on ongoing projects that will involve experimental workflows such as:

• Human immunology: spectral flow cytometry, in vitro cell-based immune assays, cytokine assays, quantitative multiplexed antibody assays (e.g. Luminex).
• Cell culture: cell lines, stem cell culture, primary immune cell culture.
• Molecular biology and biochemistry: RNA and DNA extractions, cloning, mutagenesis, quantitative PCR, protein immunoprecipitations, Western blotting, and proteomic sample preparation.

Responsibilities: The Associate Specialist will be an integral member of the research team and will be expected to:

• Lead their own independent project in the laboratory, under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.
• Collaborate closely with the Prahl Lab on joint projects.
• Collaborate with and support other lab members on research projects.
• Participate in mentorship and training of undergraduate, predoctoral, and graduate students.
• Stay up to date and familiar with relevant literature.
• Contribute to the day-to-day running and operation of the lab.
• Contribute to the scientific manuscripts and grants.
• Participate in regular group meetings, including weekly lab meetings, weekly. biobank meetings, and biweekly meetings with the PI.
• Participate in University or Public Service.

Required Qualifications:

• Specialists appointed at the Associate rank must possess (or in the process of obtaining) a master's degree in bioengineering, stem cell or molecular biology, immunology or a related field or five to ten years of experience in the relevant specialization.
• Robust immunology skills with at least 3 years of experience in flow cytometry, that includes experience with spectral flow cytometry.
• Cell culture expertise, including experience with human cell lines, primary human cells and immune cells, and stem cells culture.
• Experience in designing and executing multiplexed bead assays for protein detection (eg cytokines and antibodies).
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A collaborative spirit and willingness to work with diverse teams.
• Experience mentoring and training junior scientists and students.
• Data analysis skills with Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and interest in maternal-fetal immunology.
• Experience with TEER assays.
• Experience with data analysis programs (e.g. FloJo, R, Graphpad).
• Histology and immunohistochemistry experience.
• Experience coordinating a small team of 1-2 people (including students).
  
• Coursework in statistics is a plus.
• Prior contributions to academic publications.

The start date is flexible until the position is filled. A two-year commitment is preferred. Appointees in the Specialist series are expected to engage in specialized research and professional activities and do not have teaching responsibilities. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions and participate in University and Public Service.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $73,000-$85,000. UCSF Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences has a total salary plan that uses National benchmarking standards to set salaries by subspecialty.

Please apply online at with a CV and contact information for two references. Applicant materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission. The selected candidate must meet all of the qualifications at the time of appointment.

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Please see the following page for more details: Contributions to Diversity Statement
  (Optional)
• Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
* "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
* UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy:
* UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties:
* APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment:

San Francisco, CA

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