Junior Specialist - Department of Neurology

Junior Specialist - Department of Neurology

Junior Specialist Department of Neurology University of California, San Francisco

Position Description: A bright, hardworking individual with strong communication and organizational skills is sought by the Weill Institute for Neurosciences to serve as a Junior Specialist for the Weill NeuroBiorepository.

Under the supervision of the project manager and the Principal Investigator, the incumbent will support translational research studies through the handling and processing of incoming human biospecimens, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Core responsibilities include re-coding and processing of samples; preparation of DNA, serum, plasma, and CSF; cryopreservation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); quality control; aliquoting and storage of specimens; retrieval and re-aliquoting of samples for downstream research use; and accurate data entry and management within the biorepository database. Consistent, high-quality biospecimen processing is central to the success of this research program.

In addition to these technical responsibilities, the Junior Specialist will be involved in impactful research activities. The incumbent will contribute to research projects by assisting with experimental planning and optimization of laboratory workflows, identifying and troubleshooting technical issues, and helping to ensure data quality and reproducibility. They will participate in data organization, preliminary analysis, and interpretation in collaboration with the research team.

The Junior Specialist will contribute to the preparation of scientific materials, including assisting with figure generation, methods documentation, and data summaries for manuscripts and presentations. They will perform literature reviews to support ongoing and future studies and will participate in lab meetings where research findings and experimental approaches are discussed. Opportunities to contribute to abstracts, posters, and manuscripts, including co-authorship, will be available based on level of contribution.

Through these activities, the incumbent will engage in creative problem-solving and contribute intellectually to the advancement of research projects.

Responsibilities:

• Sample Processing. Preparation of plasma, serum, cells, and high-quality DNA from whole blood to be stored in the biorepository while maintaining the safety, integrity, and traceability of all specimens. Apply and refine standardized protocols to ensure consistency and reproducibility across studies.
• Sample Handling. Quantitating and aliquoting DNA samples for long-term storage. Retrieving samples from the biorepository for aliquoting and distribution to co-investigators, ensuring accurate tracking and compliance with study protocols.
• Data Entry and Management. Perform data entry and review computerized records to ensure accurate documentation associated with the production, labeling, storage, and shipment of samples. Assist in maintaining high-quality datasets to support downstream research and analysis.
• Reagent Preparation. Prepare media and reagents from basic components for use in whole blood processing and related laboratory procedures, ensuring quality and consistency across experiments.
• Research Support and Experimental Contribution. Actively participate in research activities by supporting experimental workflows, assisting with optimization of laboratory protocols, and identifying and troubleshooting technical issues to improve data quality and efficiency.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation. Assist with data organization, preliminary analysis, and quality assessment. Contribute to interpretation of experimental results in collaboration with the research team.
• Scholarly Contributions. Support the preparation of scientific materials, including methods documentation, data summaries, and figure generation for manuscripts and presentations. Assist with literature reviews relevant to ongoing research projects.
• Scientific Communication. Participate in lab meetings and contribute to discussions of experimental design and results. Assist in preparing materials for presentations, abstracts, and reports; opportunities for co-authorship may be available based on level of contribution.

Required Qualifications:

• Junior Specialist - A bachelor's degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience.
• Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of hire.
• Candidate's CV must state qualifications or if pending upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with handling human blood specimens.
• Familiarity with basic laboratory techniques.

Application Process: Please apply online, with a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 - $58,600.