Recruit

Specialist in Cell & Molecular Biology of Microglia

The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking an outstanding and motivated individual to join our cutting-edge research institute aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of microglia-mediated neurodegeneration and discovering new therapies targeting microglia for neurodegenerative diseases. The successful incumbent will help manage and contribute to our in vitro human cell biology and assay development program, focused on deciphering the cellular and molecular basis for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) involving tauopathy (e.g., primary tauopathies), and monogenic primary microgliopathies caused by TREM2 or CSF1R mutations leading to Nasu-Hakola disease or Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (ALSP), respectively. This position is a part of the Institute’s broad focus on developing a highly skilled and multidisciplinary team to discover the causes of disease, and develop effective pharmacologic treatments, cures, and diagnostic markers for these diseases. The IND is directed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Stanley Prusiner and located at the Sandler Neurosciences Center at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus, a world-renowned hub of biomedical research and discovery.

The successful applicant will be an experienced cell and molecular biology researcher with expertise in biomedical research and in the operation and support of a cell culture facility, including personnel training, experimental design, and project execution. They will be responsible for developing and applying these methods and skills to support the operation and ongoing research efforts of the Condello Lab. This will additionally include collaboration and research with other IND faculty and research teams on groundbreaking projects. Thus, the incumbent will be a skilled communicator with interests in working as a team with members across disciplines at the IND to advance biomedical research efforts to understand the cell and molecular basis of microglia in different neurodegenerative diseases and establish pre-clinical models to test putative therapeutics.

Responsibilities will include development, validation, and use of human IPSC-derived cell lines and transgenic rodents to study the role of TREM2 and CSF1R in microglia and their roles in neurodegenerative disease models, which will include the use of standard biochemistry and molecular biology methods, tissue culture techniques and fluorescence microscopy. The incumbent will also be responsible for establishing standard molecular biology techniques for the lab such as qRT-PCR, RNA and DNA sequencing, and various functional bioassays in living cells. As the projects evolve, they will also participate in the analysis of brain tissue and bio-fluid samples from animal models and postmortem human subjects to validate and corroborate discoveries in model systems. The incumbent will perform data analysis and statistics using available software, such as GraphPad Prism. As a senior member of the lab, and to build leadership skills, the incumbent will work with Dr. Condello to coordinate lab management and organization, as well as training junior postdoctoral scientists, graduate students and lab technicians. The incumbent will be required to verify all department safety training is complete and perform administrative and operational tasks to maintain EH&S compliance and good working order of equipment in cell culture facility of the Condello Lab.

Personal Qualifications
Required:

• Possess a high sense of responsibility for his or her own career development, as well as for the wellbeing of our organization.
• Willingness to receive training and guidance from senior investigators as well as serve as a mentor to trainees on the project.

Education and Training Qualifications:
Required:

• Master’s degree or a baccalaureate degree in Neuroscience, Medical Sciences, Genetics, Biotechnology, or related field with 3 or more years of research experience to be appointed at the Assistant rank
• Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in Neuroscience, Medical Sciences, Genetics, Biotechnology or related field or five to ten years of research experience to be appointed at the Associate rank.
• Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience, Medical Sciences, Genetics, Biotechnology, or related field or ten or more years of experience to be appointed at the Full rank.

Technical Qualifications
Required:

• 5+ years of experience in human iPSC model development including sample preparation, fluorescence microscope operation, high-throughput data collection, analysis, and graphical presentation.
• Demonstrated experience in user training and support for the operation of cell culture facility instruments and experimental protocols.

Preferred:

• Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience, Medical Sciences, Genetics, Biotechnology, or related field
• Five-years minimum postdoctoral experience in in vitro human iPSC and in vivo rodent modeling.
• Expertise in human iPSC maintenance, differentiation to neuronal and glial cell types, and phenotypic cell assay development.
• Biochemistry and Molecular biology expertise including protein, RNA, and DNA purification and analysis by in vitro methods, including sequencing methods.

Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment. Candidate’s CV must state qualifications (or if pending) upon submission.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF04913, with a CV, cover letter, and three references.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $59,200-$181,800.

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.