Staff Research Associate- Hybrid - 137560

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 11 / 26 / 2025 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants : Apply by 12 / 10 / 2025. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite at Campus and remote.

DESCRIPTION

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine is a diverse patient, research, education, and academia focused, high-performing Department with a commitment to quality, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Orthopaedic Surgery provides treatment for disorders of the musculoskeletal system, offering comprehensive and innovative services. The Department offers a full spectrum of musculoskeletal clinical care, specializing in foot and ankle, hand and microvascular surgery, joint reconstruction, physical medicine and rehabilitation, spine, sports medicine, orthopaedic oncology, and trauma. Research expertise includes advancements in muscle metabolism and physiology, neuromuscular bioengineering, intervertebral disc, and musculoskeletal physiology and epidemiology. The Department supports an ACGME accredited residency program and fellowship in hand and microvascular surgery, as well as fellowship programs in joint reconstruction, spine, and trauma.

Under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), the incumbent executes and designs experimental procedures and technical tasks across a range of scientific disciplines including biochemistry, biology, and physiology, with a focus on spine-specific orthopedic research. The position requires strong expertise in spine pathology, tissue physiology, and immune system analysis, especially related to biomarkers and clinical outcomes.

The incumbent is responsible for developing novel research techniques and protocols not previously implemented in the lab, specifically leading a new initiative involving whole blood analysis from spine patients to investigate immune responses and soft tissue health markers. This requires independent design and oversight of experimental workflows, procurement of new equipment, and development of regulatory protocols.

They will also take the lead in securing funding for these innovations through grant writing and philanthropic proposal development. This includes submitting proposals to intra- and extramural agencies and institutional development offices, which requires a high level of subject matter expertise in spinal disease and related biomedical disciplines.

The incumbent will oversee laboratory and clinical operations across multiple sites (UCSD, Scripps Health, and Rady Children's Hospital), including securing and maintaining surgical suite and lab access, training site personnel, and coordinating research activities with clinicians and PIs across institutions. Responsible for ensuring that lab personnel comply with established protocols and safety regulations. In addition, the incumbent will independently perform and oversee a variety of complex laboratory techniques including phlebotomy, tissue culture, histology, extracellular vesicle extraction, ELISAs, RNA extraction, PCR, protein assays (e.g., Jess system), MRI data collection, and bioinformatics analysis from proteomic / genomic data. They also manage a comprehensive biorepository of over 1,200 human tissue samples and associated clinical data across four sites.

This position requires exceptional analytical skills to process and analyze biological and clinical datasets, including the application of statistical methods, radiographic / MRI image analysis, and machine learning approaches.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced theoretical knowledge of Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field and direct experience with spine diseases, tissue physiology, and immunology.

Certification in phlebotomy and shipping of biohazardous materials.

Familiarity with operating room procedures and spine patient care.

Experience developing and implementing new lab techniques and protocols.

Demonstrated ability to independently perform advanced lab techniques.

Grant writing and funding acquisition experience.

Strong data analysis skills, including bioinformatics and statistical software.

Experience managing biorepositories and large, multi-site datasets.

Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Strong organizational and project management capabilities.

Knowledge of IRB, and HIPAA regulations.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Must be willing to work in human and animal-related research environments.

Must have training or experience in operating rooms, particularly with orthopedic surgeons.

Must be familiar with spine-specific diseases and conditions.

Must be certified in phlebotomy.

Must be able to obtain access and permissions across multiple hospital and health systems.

Must be willing to travel to present research findings at clinical and scientific conferences.

Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range : $69,763 - $112,181 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent : $33.41 - $53.73

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).