Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF: Junior Specialist

Heart Rhythm Research at UCSF:
Junior Specialist

The incumbent will be involved in performing laboratory experiments and physiological analysis for a basic research program led by Dr. Vasanth Vedantham, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist and basic researcher in the Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco. The research will be focused on gene regulation, molecular biology, and physiology of the heart under normal conditions and in disease models in mouse models and/or human induced pluripotent stem cell models with special attention to heart rhythm.

Under the general direction of Dr. Vasanth Vedantham, the incumbent will perform scientific research experiments related to various research projects, both in vitro and in vivo, relating to heart rhythm. Responsibilities will include performing or assisting with stem cell differentiation and maintenance, molecular biology assays, performing mouse surgeries to implant transmitters, managing a mouse colony, imaging using confocal and light sheet microscopy, preparation of libraries for high throughput sequencing, and general lab maintenance.

The candidate will also assist other lab members in lab maintenance duties including PCR genotyping, mouse colony maintenance, and assisting the principal investigator and lab manager in all laboratory-related matters when needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• At least one year of hands‑on experience working in an academic or industry laboratory.

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology techniques, and biochemical assays.
• Familiarity with mouse models, including handling, breeding, genotyping, and maintenance.
• Ability to follow troubleshoot multistep experimental protocols to generate reliable data.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in teams.
• Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and contribute to ongoing research projects.
• Ability to contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation.

The individual will work closely with the principal investigator and other lab members to perform and ensure completion of research experiments related to the laboratory’s projects. The individual will set up and perform novel experiments and molecular‑cellular techniques such as molecular cloning, DNA/RNA isolation, stem cell differentiation, transfection, viral infection, CRISPR‑Cas9 gene editing, live‑cell imaging, luciferase assays, genomic profiling assays including RNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, and ChIP‑seq, and DNA‑protein binding assays including EMSA.

Animal experiments may include mouse heart dissection, cardiomyocyte isolation, mouse surgery to implant transmitters, tissue processing and histology preparation, and microscopy of fixed cells, tissues, embryos, and hearts. Basic molecular and biochemical assays for RNA/DNA detection using PCR, RT‑PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and cloning will also be performed.

A major part of the lab’s effort involves analysis of physiological data sets obtained with implantable transmitters and other studies in mice. Analysis may include defining electrocardiographic intervals, identification of arrhythmias from EKG data, heart rate variability, and power spectra. 3D reconstruction and quantification of microscopy images from light‑sheet and confocal microscopy will be required. The incumbent…