Lab Asst. 1

Job Title

Technical Support For Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Job Description

In the La Spada laboratory, we apply the tools of molecular genetics, neuroscience, and functional genomics to understand the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. The repertoire of diseases being actively investigated in the lab include Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy, Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 2 and 7, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's Disease. We continue to investigate how transcription is regulated in the nervous system and dysregulated in disease, with our most recent work emphasizing single cell analysis. Complementing these molecular investigations are studies of cell-cell communication, including efforts aimed at understanding skeletal muscle – motor neuron interaction in motor neuron disease and the functional signaling occurring between neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in the CNS. Another significant emphasis has been on translational research and therapy development, with programs aimed at gene silencing of dominant disease protein expression (as successfully accomplished for SCA7), and focused upon the identification of small molecules intended to boost mitochondrial function, promote proteostasis, or inhibit mTORC1 activation, with lead compounds currently moving towards clinical testing in HD and SCA7.

Responsibilities

This position entails providing technical support for projects related to studying Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 2 and 7 (SCA2 and SCA7), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the La Spada lab. Candidate will be responsible for maintaining induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) cultures, differentiating iPSCs into neurons, and performing downstream molecular biology assays.

Qualifications

Required:

• Proficiency in sterile technique.
• Basic wet lab skills such as pipetting and buffer preparation
• Biochemical analysis techniques (e.g., RNA/DNA purification, western blot, qRT-PCR)
• Microscopy
• iPSC maintenance and differentiation
• 1 year experience in a life science laboratory (academic or industry/biotech)

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Conditions of Employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page -

Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources.