Recruit

Professional Researcher (any rank) position available in the Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Availability: Fall 2024

Description: We are currently seeking a highly qualified candidates as a Professional Researcher (any rank: Assistant, Associate, or Full) in the Dept. of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. The positions will both be under the direction of Arun Wiita, MD, PhD. Our lab at UCSF (https://wiitalab.ucsf.edu) focuses on immunotherapy, quantitative proteomics, and bench to bedside applications in blood cancers.

The role will have two major foci: 1) development and optimization of new cellular therapies that secrete recombinant protein therapeutics in the context of treatments for multiple myeloma; 2) development and optimization of cellular therapies for use in syngeneic models of multiple myeloma. Specific techniques to be used include: cell culture, recombinant protein expression (bacterial and/or mammalian systems), molecular cloning, lentiviral transduction, flow cytometry, genetic engineering of Tcells, in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity assays, and related assays for preclinical therapeutic assessment. This role will work in close collaboration with the clinical myeloma service at UCSF, one of the largest such programs in the country, as well as other leading clinical and immunotherapy groups at UCSF.

The ideal candidate for this position will be proficient in a highly collaborative environment, working with academic research groups and myeloma clinicians as well as with biotech industry partners. Additional responsibilities will include collaborative grant writing, organization and maintenance of institutional animal care protocols, and mentoring of junior scientist trainees in the group. Extensive opportunities are available for participating in abstracts and publications. Training goals and specific projects will be tailored to the candidate’s long term career goals. Candidates should have a strong interest in directly improving patient care through their research and gaining experience in preclinical therapeutic development in cancer.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants will hold a PhD or equivalent degree from a Dept. of Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or similar. The candidate will have extensive laboratory experience including several
years of laboratory experience after post-doctoral training as well as experience in lab organization and mentoring of junior trainees. The candidate must have a strong publication record and evidence of research productivity. In terms of technical skills, the candidate must have prior experience in recombinant protein expression, cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular cloning, cellular therapy development, and in vivo tumor modeling.

Environment: The University of California, San Francisco is a premier academic medical center excelling in both clinical care and basic science research. The Wiita lab in the Dept. of Laboratory Medicine and Dept. of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences is a multidisciplinary research group offering extensive opportunities for training. Our interests span development of novel cancer immunotherapies, mechanistic biology in blood cancers, translational research and drug development in hematologic malignancies, and new technology development combining mass spectrometry-based proteomics, chemical biology, and genome engineering. Dr. Wiita is also a member of the Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, providing opportunities for collaboration with leading groups across UCSF, Stanford, and Berkeley. The Wiita lab is also an affiliate of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, a nation-wide network of leading groups focused on harnessing the immune system to eliminate cancer.

Funding: The Wiita lab is currently extensively funded by 12 different federal, state, and private awards as well as philanthropic donations to UCSF. At least two years of salary and benefits associated with this position is guaranteed.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF05001, with a CV and three references.

See Table 13B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $87,100-$231,800.

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.