Junior/Assistant Specialist in Translational Neuroimmunology and ImmuneEngineering

Application Window Open date: July 29, 2026 Most recent review date: Monday, Aug 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled. Final date: Saturday, Jan 29, 2028 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Position description Junior/Assistant Specialist in Translational Neuroimmunology and Immune Engineering Department of Neurology University of California, San Francisco Position Description: The Gupta Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and organized Junior or Assistant Specialist to help establish and support a new research program focused on autoimmune and infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system. This position is ideal for an individual seeking to develop expertise in translational immunology while contributing to innovative research in immune engineering and neuroinflammatory diseases. The laboratory is dedicated to developing next-generation immune therapies for neuroinflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Research activities integrate advanced cell engineering technologies-including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, T-cell engagers, and synthetic receptor platforms-with preclinical studies using cellular and animal models to investigate disease mechanisms and evaluate novel therapeutic strategies. The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing laboratory operations while making significant scientific contributions to ongoing research projects. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining laboratory infrastructure, managing laboratory operations, inventory, and regulatory documentation, and coordinating laboratory resources to ensure efficient research activities. The Junior or Assistant Specialist will independently perform, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols, maintain accurate research records, analyze experimental data, and contribute to the interpretation and presentation of research findings. Responsibilities: The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing laboratory operations while making significant scientific contributions to ongoing research projects. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining laboratory infrastructure, managing laboratory operations, inventory, and regulatory documentation, and coordinating laboratory resources to ensure efficient research activities. The Junior or Assistant Specialist will independently perform, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols, maintain accurate research records, analyze experimental data, and contribute to the interpretation and presentation of research findings. A major component of this position involves conducting studies using mouse models of neuroinflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including animal handling, experimental procedures, tissue collection, and downstream immunological and molecular analyses. The Junior or Assistant Specialist will also perform and optimize molecular and cellular biology techniques, immune cell isolation and culture, flow cytometry, and implementation of advanced cell-engineering approaches. Opportunities to contribute to experimental design, protocol development, manuscript preparation, and grant-supported research activities are expected, commensurate with the candidate's experience. The position will additionally involve processing human blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens collected through clinical trials and observational studies investigating novel therapeutic approaches for neuroimmune diseases. Responsibilities may also include coordinating specimen collection and processing across designated clinical research sites while ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements. Because patient visit schedules and specimen collection times may vary, flexibility in scheduling and a collaborative, solution-oriented approach is essential. In return, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge immunology and cell engineering technologies, interact with a unique patient population, and contribute to a highly collaborative and rapidly growing translational research program. The Gupta Laboratory is committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating research environment for scientists dedicated to advancing therapies for neuroinflammatory diseases. Candidates should possess excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and demonstrated proficiency with standard molecular and cellular laboratory techniques. Experience with immunology, immune cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology, or human specimen processing is highly desirable. Prior experience working with mouse models is strongly preferred, and candidates should be willing to perform animal-based research. Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, manage multiple projects #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - San Francisco