Staff Research Associate 3

Overview:

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

ULAR (University Laboratory Animal Resources) is an AAALAC-accredited animal care program that supports the University of California Irvine's research and teaching missions by providing high quality, humane care for vertebrate laboratory animals, in accordance with State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to the use of animals in research and teaching.

Responsibilities:

The Transgenic Mouse Facility (TMF) seeks a skilled microinjectionist to produce genetically engineered mouse models. Under the supervision of TMF managing director, the core function of the role is pronuclear microinjection of DNA and CRISPR RNP into mouse zygotes, complemented by zygote electroporation, ES cell–blastocyst injection, embryo culture and assessment, and surgical embryo transfer. The incumbent manages the microinjection workflow and schedule, and independently troubleshoots and optimizes parameters for difficult constructs, low-efficiency strains, and novel transgenesis approaches, adapting standard protocols where established methods fall short. The incumbent also serves as the primary technical resource for the facility’s assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, including sperm and embryo cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and reagent quality control, resolving technical and procedural issues with minimal oversight. The role also involves using the scientific literature to establish best practices and effective rederivation methods for strains received from other institutions. Throughout, the incumbent keeps accurate procedure records and strain data sheets, prepares client reports that interpret embryo development and experimental outcomes, and communicates clearly with clients and the supervisor. Additional responsibilities include supporting the TMF husbandry workflow and training staff in microinjection, embryo transfer, and surgical techniques.

Qualifications:

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

 

Required:

• Knowledge of and prior experience with DNA, CRISPR-RNP, and mouse ES cell microinjection techniques.
• Experience in mouse reproductive biology, and handling and breeding of genetically modified mice, including administration of hormones etc via injection.
• Ability to work independently, including modifying standard protocols as required to adapt to challenges experienced.
• Strong work ethic
• Experience working in a team setting
• Ability to see projects through to completion
• Ability to prioritize tasks and redirect emphasis as required by special circumstances or additional assignments
• Ability to maintain accurate, legible records documenting the progress and outcomes of experiments
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and tactfully with a broad variety of people (clients, researchers, lab personnel, and fellow employees)
• Computer skills sufficient to use MS Office, Teams, and CLIMB database programs
• Knowledge of mouse genetics and nomenclature, and reproductive physiology
• Ability to read and apply current scientific literature to evaluate and adapt microinjection, cryopreservation, and IVF techniques for new applications
• Bachelor of Science degree
• 3-5 yearsexperience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization
• A minimum of 3 years of experiencein microinjection of mouse oocytes or zygotes, with ability and experience performing precise, delicate manipulations under a microscope

Preferred:

• Master's or terminal degree

Special Conditions:

• Flexible work time adjustment may be required, depending on the project specific experimental schedule.
• May be required to work on weekends as needed.
• Must wear protective clothing (PPE) provided.
• Constant exposure to possible allergens in the animal rooms, including (but not limited to) animal waste from dirty cages, dirty bedding, animal hair and dander and dust. The work area is enclosed with no direct access to open air.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

 

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.