The Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine was established in 1969 and since then has grown to have 40+ faculty members. Our research space is located in several buildings on and off campus including the Clinical Teaching Facility, the Antiviral Research Center in Hillcrest, the Stein Clinical Research Building, the Moores Cancer Center, the Biomedical Research Facility, the San Diego VA Medical Center, the Cellular and Molecular Medicine East Building, and the George Palade Laboratories for Cellular and Molecular Medicine. Major international collaborations in Mozambique, Mexico, India, South Africa and Peru play important roles in the Division's expansion of its international programs.

The division continues to grow and expand with the development of our international medicine program, as well the ongoing studies and interests of our faculty.

Under direction, the Senior Research Associate will maintain the day-to-day operations of the Stein Clinical Research Building 3rd and 4th floor lab while working in close cooperation with postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, laboratory technicians, and collaborators from UCSD and around the world.

This Senior Research Associate provides leadership and work direction to research staff and other personnel associated with the interdisciplinary research of the projects. The incumbent will provide project, lab, and team management. The Senior Research Associate will ensure that all safety regulations are being adhered to within the laboratory and that all staff are following proper safety protocols, including but not limited to fire risk safety, biohazards, and waste management. They will serve as an Area Safety Coordinator in the lab and will work closely with EH&S during audits and ensure that the proper information is communicated, and documentation is completed when new protocols are introduced in the lab.

The incumbent ensures equipment integrity by maintaining laboratory equipment service agreement contracts, monitoring freezers, coordinating equipment repairs, and working with equipment vendors directly. They will make sure that proper equipment documentation is maintained accurately. Other duties assigned as needed.

• Demonstrated experience in management of a staff involving complex projects or studies.

• Demonstrated organizational ability in handling multiple tasks with time sensitivity.

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully both independently and in a team setting.

• Excellent communication skills. Ability to facilitate in written and verbal communication with clinical researchers, laboratory technicians, statisticians, bioinformatics experts and administrative personnel.

• Proven ability to utilize a computer for tasks such as word processing and statistics. Specific knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, SPSS, SAS, and Velos.

• Demonstrated data processing experience including data entry procedures and quality assurance processes.

• Advanced knowledge of a wide variety of specialized laboratory equipment.

• Solid leadership skills associated with planning work assignments, establishing priorities, scheduling instructional space, and ensuring completion of multiple projects.

• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.

• Advanced knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements, as well as chemical disposal guidelines.

• Extensive experience with standard lab equipment: fume & biosafety hoods, balances, pipettes, centrifuges with experience in aseptic technique.

• Working knowledge of taking inventory of laboratory items and use of ordering supplies.

• Experience with updating vendor warranties, service agreements, and equipment maintenance. Experience with handling repairs in a timely manner.

• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills in order to troubleshoot and optimize pipelines and equipment.

• Extensive theoretical & experimental knowledge of pathogenic viruses and hazardous materials.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute original ideas.

• Experience with Environmental Health & Safety related audits is a plus.

• Willingness to work with pathogenic viruses, hazardous materials.

• Ability to operate and maintain laboratory equipment.

• Appropriate handling of the above items under well-defined laboratory practices is required.

• Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.