Junior​/Assistant Specialist

Position Description

The Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking a highly motivated Junior or Assistant Specialist to participate in translational research investigating T-cell immunology in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Department of Neurology

University of California, San Francisco

Full-time

• Participate in the design and implementation of studies investigating T-cell responses and other immune mechanisms relevant to MOGAD and MS.
• Collect and process prospective patient biospecimens in coordination with clinical and research staff, including isolation, cryopreservation, and banking of PBMCs.
• Perform cell culture, antigen-specific T-cell assays, and multicolor flow cytometry, including sample preparation, staining, data acquisition, quality control, and analysis.
• Participate in mouse immunology experiments, including tissue collection and processing and characterization of immune responses.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data and contribute to decisions regarding experimental design, troubleshooting, assay optimization, and follow‑up studies.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and biospecimen inventories and contribute to the rigor and reproducibility of research data.
• Review relevant scientific literature in MOGAD, MS, T-cell biology, autoimmunity, and neuroimmunology to inform experimental design and interpretation.
• Present research progress and findings at laboratory meetings and contribute to abstracts, posters, presentations, and scientific meetings.
• Contribute substantively to scholarly manuscripts, including data analysis and interpretation, preparation of figures and tables, literature review, and drafting and revising manuscript sections.
• The Junior/Assistant Specialist will be expected to remain actively and significantly engaged in research of scholarly quality and to contribute meaningfully to research suitable for publication and presentation.

• Appointees to Junior Specialist rank must possess a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience.
• Appointees to the Assistant Specialist rank must possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or a bachelor's degree with three or more years of research/laboratory experience.
• Conceptual understanding of basic immunology.
• Demonstrated interest in scientific research and ability to critically engage with scientific literature and research findings.
• Ability to perform detailed laboratory work with attention to accuracy, organization, and reproducibility.
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of hire.
• Candidate’s CV must state qualifications (or indicate if qualifications are pending) upon submission.

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in biology, immunology, neuroscience, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
• Previous laboratory research experience in immunology, neuroscience, or a related biomedical field.
• Experience with PBMC isolation and processing, cell culture, REDCap, and/or biospecimen banking. Experience with T-cell assays, flow cytometry, or mouse immunology experiments.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, and presenting scientific data.
• Familiarity with immunology, autoimmunity, or neuroimmunology.
• Strong scientific writing skills and interest in contributing to publications.
• Interest in pursuing advanced training or a career in biomedical, translational, immunology, or…