Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF: Junior Specialist

Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF: Junior Specialist

The incumbent will be involved in performing laboratory experiments and physiological analysis for a basic research program led by Dr. Vasanth Vedantham, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist and basic researcher in the Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco. The research will be focused on gene regulation, molecular biology, and physiology of the heart under normal conditions and in disease models in mouse models and/or human induced pluripotent stem cell models with special attention to heart rhythm.

BRIEF JOB OVERVIEW: Under the general direction of Dr. Vasanth Vedantham, the incumbent will perform scientific research experiments related to various research projects, both in vitro and in vivo, relating to heart rhythm. Responsibilities will include some of all of the following (as needed for the project): performing or assisting with stem cell differentiation and maintenance, molecular biology assays, performing mouse surgeries to implant transmitters, managing a mouse colony, imaging using confocal and light sheet microscopy, preparation of libraries for high throughput sequencing, and general lab maintenance. Although the candidate will have their own dedicated research project, they will also assist other lab members in lab maintenance duties including PCR genotyping, mouse colony maintenance, and assisting the principal investigator and lab manager in all laboratory-related matters when needed.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a closely related field.
At least one year of hands-on experience working in an academic or industry laboratory.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology techniques, and biochemical assays.
Familiarity with mouse models, including handling, breeding, genotyping, and maintenance.
Ability to follow troubleshoot multistep experimental protocols to generate reliable data.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in teams.
Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and contribute to ongoing research projects.
Ability to contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation.

SPECIFIC JOB DESCRIPTION:

Performing laboratory experiments (50%)
The individual will work very closely with the principal investigator and other lab members to perform and to ensure completion of research experiments related to the research projects of the laboratory. The individual will set up and perform novel experiments and molecular-cellular techniques necessary for research projects of the lab such as molecular cloning, DNA/RNA isolation, stem cell differentiation, transfection, lenti- or adeno-associated virus infection of cells, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, cell imaging (live and fixed/stained), cell-based luciferase assys, genomic profiling assays including RNA-seqm ATAC-seq, and ChIP-Seq, and DNA-protein binding assays including EMSA. Animal experiments could include mouse heart dissection, mouse cardiomyocyte isolation, mouse surgery to implant transmitters, tissue processing and handling of biological specimen for histological studies including: fixation (small and large tissue, and cultured cells), embedding (paraffin, plastic and frozen), sectioning (paraffin, plastic and frozen), and histological staining with antibodies. The individual must perform microscopy (conventional immunofluorescence, confocal, and light sheet) of fixed cells, tissue sections, mouse embryos, and mouse hearts. The individual will perform basic molecular and biochemical assays for RNA/DNA detection using PCR, RT-PCR and Western Blotting, isolation of RNA/DNA, and protein from cells and animal tissue, ELISA, and cloning.

Physiological, Imaging, Sequencing Data Analysis, and Writing (30%)
A major part of the lab’s effort involves analysis of physiological data sets obtained with implantable transmitters and other types of physiological studies in mice. Specific types of analysis might include defining electrocardiographic intervals, identification of arrhythmias from EKG data, higher-order analysis including heart rate variability and power spectra. In addition, 3D reconstruction and quantification of microscopy images including those from whole mount light sheet microscopy as well as confocal microscopy of tissue sections will be required. A second part of the lab works with human induced pluroipotent stem cells The incumbent will also be responsible for preparing figures and manuscripts for publication or presentation at meetings.

Lab management (20%)

• The individual will assist the Supervisor and Lab Manager as needed to ensure, in a timely manner and in compliance with all UCSF and regulatory agency policies and rules, the: completion of all personnel training and certifications; coordination of various lab inspections (e.g. OS&H, IACUC); and renewals, modifications and new applications of IACUC/OS&H protocols. The incumbent will ensure that chemical, controlled, and expired substances inventory is performed as required.
  
• Performing lab maintenance tasks along with others in the lab at the direction of the lab manager. Examples might be having primary responsibility for maintaining a particular instrument or keeping a particular area of the lab clean, well stocked with consumable supplies, and in order.
• Assisting other lab members with PCR genotyping of mouse lines
• Maintaining a mouse colony and assisting others as needed.

. Applicants’ materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission.

See for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$58,600.