Lab Assistant - HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine

The Laboratory Assistant will work under direct supervision of post-doctoral scholars and research technicians to perform preclinical therapeutic research using rabbit and chinchilla infection models. The individual will monitor the infected rabbits and chinchillas to identify signs of disease progression and report back to her/his supervisors; assist in treating rabbits with experimental agents; assist in rabbit and chinchilla necropsy and processing of organs.

The Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is an internationally recognized global leader in clinical care, research, and education. With its home-base located at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), the Division has been ranked as the top facility in the country for AIDS care since 1983. The Division's work is featured frequently in the media, and it is often visited by numerous international, national, state, and local dignitaries and delegations.

The Division consists of approximately 38 faculty members, 14 fellows/postdoctoral scholars and 170 academic and staff employees. It is the largest Division of the Department of Medicine (DOM) at ZSFG, with a total expenditure budget of approximately $52 million dollars.

Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential.

Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job. The functions should add up to 100%.

• 30% – yes – Monitor rabbit and chinchilla for signs of disease progression and report to supervisors
• 40% – yes – Assist in rabbit and chinchilla dissections and organ processing under direct supervision
• 30% – yes – Assist other lab members in administering drugs/vaccine to rabbits and chinchillas
• 100% – (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%. )

• High school graduation and one year of laboratory experience, or two years of college, including courses in the natural, physical, or social sciences; or an equivalent combination of education / experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position
• Direct handling of laboratory chinchillas or rabbits

• Related experience in chinchilla or rabbit laboratory work
• Willingness and ability to learn new skills to accommodate changing research priorities
• Some prior experience performing nucleic extraction and preparing protein lysates
• Organizational skills and effective written and verbal communication with supervisors
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to complete tasks efficiently in order to meet deadlines following standard protocols established by supervisors

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health.

We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity,…