The Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine (BCMM) is seeking Junior/Assistant/Associate/Full Specialists to join our team and contribute to new and ongoing projects. The BCMM is focused on human microbiome research, with a particular interest in accelerating discovery and translation in the fields of early life microbiome and therapeutic development. The Center supports multiple collaborative technology hubs that facilitate microbiome research projects led by researchers across UCSF.

Candidates will be expected to lead and facilitate research projects supported by the technology hubs. Projects will be diverse, spanning disciplines within all schools across campus. In addition to research projects, the candidate will collaborate with other team members on the development of novel tools to address ongoing challenges in the field of translational microbiome research. Responsibilities vary across the technology hubs and will reflect the candidate’s expertise. Typical duties for each technology hubs are summarized below. Please indicate interest in particular tech hubs in your cover letter.

Genomics: Providing guidance on appropriate sample collection methods, sample extraction for library preparation, sequencing (16S rRNA, ITS2, metagenomics), and data analyses.

Metabolomics: Providing guidance on appropriate sample collection methods, sample preparation for library preparation, analytical chemistry (liquid and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and data analyses.

Microbial Culturing: Providing guidance on appropriate microbial culturing methods, expanding curated collection of microbial isolates, microbial isolate characterization (genotypic and phenotypic), and data analyses.

Gnotobiotics: Providing basic facility maintenance and husbandry within gnotobiotic isolators, performing advanced experimental techniques (experimental agent administration), execute laboratory techniques to monitor sterility of our germ-free mouse colonies (microbial culture and gram staining).

Enabling leadership and professional development opportunities is central to the BCMM culture. Candidates will have opportunities to collaborate on scientific publications and will work with their supervisor to create a tailored professional development plan to further their career goals. Depending on expertise and candidate interest, duties can be focused on a single or multiple tech hubs.

Required Qualifications:
• Junior - Specialists appointed at the junior rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment, social science research methods, or creative activities).
• Assistant - Specialists appointed at the Assistant rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience in the relevant specialization.
• Associate - Specialists appointed at the Associate rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience in the relevant specialization. Appointees at the Associate level should have significant record of academic accomplishment including published or in-press publication, and a demonstrated record of University and/or public service. Additionally, appointees at the Associate level will provide considerable independence in planning and execution of research.
• Full - Specialists appointed at the full rank must possess (or in process of obtaining) a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience in the relevant specialization. Appointees at the Full level should have significant record of academic accomplishment including published or in-press publication, and a demonstrated record of University and/or public service. Additionally, appointees at the Full level will provide considerable independence in planning and execution of research.
• Applicants may be in process of obtaining their required degrees and/or years of experience in the relevant specialization at the time of application, however, these qualifications must be obtained by appointment start date.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written).
• Willingness and ability to learn new methods and skills for changing research priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate work tasks with others, and meet multiple deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Prior experience with handling pathogenic microbes, aseptic techniques.
• Prior experience in microbial culture and characterization, including anaerobic culture techniques, strain genotyping and phenotyping.
• Prior experience in high throughput sequencing and analysis.
• Prior experience in mass spectrometry or other analytical chemistry approaches.
• Prior experience in mouse research, including: handling, restraint, oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, breeding (plug and pregnancy checks, determining age and sex of litters).

Pride Values
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, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF03899. Applicants’ materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission.

Application deadline: Open until filled
Start date: Open until filled
Location: San Francisco, CA