Research Laboratory Associate - 137230

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 10 / 29 / 2025 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants : Apply by 11 / 10 / 2025. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

The rate of pay has been modified as of 10 / 28 / 2025.

DESCRIPTION

The Department of Anesthesiology employs over 200 Academic and Staff personnel and has an annual operating budget of $83 million in annualized resources (School of Medicine and Clinical Practice Organization (CPO) between Practice Plan revenues, VA Medical Center funding, Hospital and Medical Group funding,, UC Foundation, Research sources and School of Medicine funds. There are over 85 Clinical faculty, 20 Ph.D. faculty, 8 Post-Doctoral Scholars, 42 Residents, 8 Senior Clinical Fellows, 33 Certified Nurse Anesthetists, 1 Physician Assistant and five collective bargaining units represented. The Department provides Clinical Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Services in Hillcrest, Thornton Hospital, Shiley Eye Center, Rady Children's Hospital, Jacobs Medical Center and the VA Medical Center. The Department operates a Pain Clinic at Perlman. The Department's research programs include bench and clinical research programs located at the VA Medical Center, Medical Teaching Facility, Clinical Teaching Facility, Hillcrest, Thornton, Sanford Consortium of Regenerative Medicine facilities and the Altman CTRI.

The Department of Anesthesiology's Brain Mechanisms of Pain and Health Laboratory is seeking a lab assistant to help collect data for ongoing studies examining the effects and mechanisms supporting psychedelics and mindfulness meditation on health . Under supervision of Dr. Zeidan, the incumbent will assist with basic laboratory operations, organize, work with healthy and chronic pain patients assisting with psychophysical, brain imaging, and pharmacologic studies as directed. Assigned duties and responsibilities include routine laboratory maintenance, assisting with psychological and psychophysical methodologies. Lab assistant will assist with adhering to IRB protocols, collect human data, and assist with behavioral interventions ensuring accurate collection of data.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and one year of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in the in the natural, physical or social sciences and two years of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience with psychedelic research.

Knowledge of safe human testing procedures (CITI training; experience with IRB).

Ability to follow written and verbal directions.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to establish trust and rapport with participants and respond with sensitivity and awareness to participant needs.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to maintain accurate documentations and records.

Demonstrates the ability to assist with participant recruitment, including prescreening and scheduling.

Experience with data entry or database management in REDCap or similar systems.

Knowledge of personal computer programs including word processing, basic computer coding, SPSS, Word, Excel, unix.

Ability to adhere to established UCSD guidelines for safety and environmental issues.

Must be able to work effectively with human volunteers and patients.

Requires a thorough understanding of laboratory principles including knowledge of safe laboratory process and procedures. Familiarity with specimen processing, labeling, centrifugation, and sample storage according to biosafety and regulatory standards.

Ability to follow protocols and maintain compliance with study-specific SOPs, GCP, and IRB guidelines.

Experience collecting participant data and maintaining accurate documentation and records.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of psychology, neuroscience, human biology, and pre-medicine is desired.

Experience performing psychedelic research.

Certificated fMRI technician and / or experience working in an fMRI setting

Experience collecting or handling biological samples (e.g., blood, saliva, or urine) in compliance with CLIA, HIPAA, and institutional policies.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

Must be willing to work with hazardous materials.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range : $43,639 - $50,571 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent : $20.90 - $24.22

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).