Junior Specialist - Aghi Lab

Open date:
January 6, 2026

Most recent review date:
Monday, Mar 9, 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:
Tuesday, Jul 6, 2027 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.

The Aghi Lab is seeking Junior Specialists who will participate in basic science research to study mechanisms by which brain tumors interact with their microenvironment to promote growth, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. Drug(s) to disrupt these processes will be evaluated in collaboration with industry partners in cell culture and in mouse models. Job duties include culturing tumor cells, extracting RNA and DNA from brain tumor tissue, cloning retroviral constructs and isolating/purifying retroviruses from infected cells, performing immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence of tumor tissue and cultured primary tumor cells, isolating cells from brain tumors and flow‑cytometry to count cell types, isolating stem cells from brain tumors, performing CRISPR techniques, and intracranial and subcutaneous implantation of tumor cells into mice followed by treatment, monitoring, and euthanasia when appropriate.

Candidates will also handle lab administration (order entry, ensuring protocols are in compliance, and orienting new lab members). Other duties as assigned.

• Specialists appointed at the junior rank must possess (or be in the process of obtaining) a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) or have at least four years of research experience.
• Applicants must have obtained the degree requirement for the Specialist rank by the time of hire.
• Experience with basic wet‑lab research (cell culture, pipetting, tissue sectioning, immunostaining, qPCR, mouse tumor implantation, western blotting).
• Ability to learn advanced wet‑lab techniques (CRISPR, immunoprecipitation, purification of histidine‑tagged proteins).
• Ability to independently plan experiments from start to finish to address a specific topic and to write portions of manuscripts.
• Ability to handle lab administration, including order entry, ensuring protocols are in compliance, and orienting new lab members.
• Applicant’s materials must list qualifications upon submission.

• Independent specialized research.

• Curriculum Vitae – CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g., board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• 3 required (contact information only)

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

Please apply online at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
05908.

San Francisco, CA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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 status under state or federal law.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, APM - 035:
Affluent Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.