Career Center
La Jolla, California
San Diego Costa Mesa or Roseville, California
Fresno , California
Berkeley, California
Seaside, California
Seaside, California
Fullerton, California
La Jolla, California
Posted: 09-Aug-23
Location: La Jolla, California
Salary: $18.03 to $21/hourly
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
Required Education:
Internal Number: RESEA002173
Research Assistant I will work as a part of a team that studies how cytoskeletal motor protein complexes are regulated using biochemical and cell biology approaches. Duties will involve performing various molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemical techniques. The candidate will work with a range of cellular systems, and be responsible for viral infections and transfections, fluorescence microscopy, protein purifications, and sample preparation for cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) studies. The candidate will assist Principal Investigator (PI) with experimental design and may also be involved in hiring and training new staff and performing lab management duties.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform various molecular biology experiments including PCR, transformations, plasmid preparations, and gel electrophoresis.
- Perform various biochemistry experiments, including protein expression and purification, western blotting, and protein-protein binding assays.
- Cultivate and maintain insect and mammalian cell lines under sterile conditions.
- Prepare and characterize cells for downstream applications, such as transfection, transduction, and fluorescence microscopy.
- Help prepare samples for CryoEM studies.
- Contribute to experimental design and data interpretation.
- Perform lab management and support tasks including but not limited to stocking, ordering, maintaining, and keeping track of resources, chemicals, and supplies; assisting with maintaining inventory, as well as assisting with performing regular maintenance and calibration of equipment; ensuring equipment is operational; assisting with instrument repairs when necessary.
- Train staff on specific cell biology and related techniques, as well as laboratory equipment and equipment maintenance.
- Assist in the hiring process of new staff.
- Write laboratory protocols for experiments and ensures their compliance within the laboratory.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by management.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- No professional experience required.
- Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 2 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline.
- 1-2 years of experience in a lab with a cell or molecular biology background preferred.
- Experience with protein expression and/or purification preferred.
- Experience with basic cryoEM sample preparation preferred.
SALK VALUES:
- Integrity - Guides our moral compass and underpins our every action. We do what is right in all situations for no other reason than because it is right. We uphold honesty and ethical behavior and make good on our commitments. We understand that words and deeds matter and that integrity leads to trust.
- Community- Enables us to harness the power of our collective talents. We work together towards common goals. We recognize the importance of diversity where everyone’s ideas, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and pave the paths that propel us forward. We understand our pioneering role in the broader scientific community and take pride in our efforts to have a positive impact on the world.
- Accountability - Keeps us focused, and keeps us honest. We are responsible not only for our own success, but the success of our teams and the entire Institute. We consider how the actions we take and the decisions we make in our own work may impact others.
- Respect - Creates the foundation of trust and brings out the best in us all. We value the experiences, identities, and feelings of those we work with, regardless of their position or their relationship to us. We provide feedback in a constructive manner, use appropriate language, and allow others to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule.
- Empowerment - Amplifies all voices and inspires the pursuit of greatness. We lift each other up, enabling us to grow continuously and live to our fullest potential. We support the expression of ideas, encourage self-advocacy, inspire confidence and recognize that an environment of mutual respect is critical to our collective success.
COMPETENCIES:
- Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
- Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Attendance/Punctuality- Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
- Teamwork- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
The expected pay range for this position is $18.03 - $21.00 per hour.
Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Frequently required to stand
- Occasionally required to walk
- Occasionally required to sit
- Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
- Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
- Frequently required to talk or hear
- Occasionally required to taste or smell
- Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
- Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts
- Occasionally work in high, precarious places
- Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
- Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
- Occasionally exposure to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
- Occasionally exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
- While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, continually lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All individuals who accept a position with the Salk Institute must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment, must successfully complete the Institute’s background investigation and must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.
The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
