Staff Research Associate I - Pediatrics - 140898

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment:
Apply by 8/17/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants:
Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

The Knight lab consists of a team of ~50 highly skilled researchers, students and technicians, with an annual operating budget of ~$3 million derived from a mixture of federal and non-federal sources including Knight's NIH Pioneer Award and the campus Return to Learn COVID-19 program. Most of the lab's work focuses on technologies for reading out microbial communities, including laboratory procedures for next- generation sequencing and bioinformatics software development.

This includes applications in the human microbiome and child development, conservation, environmental monitoring and management, and biofuels. The Knight lab is widely regarded as a leader in the microbiome field, publishing regularly in top journals including Science, Nature, Cell, and PNAS, and publishing dozens of journal articles per year overall. The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with ~200 faculty, an annual budget of >$100

million, and unified pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs, including a university- affiliated children's health system to serve the region. The Department is recognized as having global leaders in research, technology, translational medicine, education and clinical excellence.

• Theoretical knowledge of basic human genetics and molecular biology.
• Experience with biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, RT-PCR, DNA/RNA isolation within the past 2 years.
• Demonstrated ability to follow university Environmental Health and Safety requirements. Experienced in working and maintaining a sterile environment.
• Micropipetting and dilutions experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of liquid handling automation and ability to use validated protocols.
• Demonstrated knowledge of next generation sequencing for high throughput pipeline. Ability to perform validated protocols.
• Ability to implement and troubleshoot protocols developed for high throughput sequencing pipeline.

• Experience writing/editing protocols and manuscripts.
• Computers skills using a Macintosh.
• Demonstrated experience with database management of clones/samples, including data entry, manipulation and creation of data reports.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Incumbent must be available to work 9AM - 7PM, Monday-Friday and on occasional weekends.
• Willing to work in a laboratory that collects, processes, stores, and assays biohazardous body fluids.

Annual Full Pay Range: $62,891 - $75,022 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $30.12 - $35.93

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).