DESCRIPTION

The Moores Cancer Center is one of just 50 in the United States to hold a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting basic and clinical cancer research, providing advanced patient care and serving the community through outreach and education programs.

The Cancer Center's mission is to translate promising scientific discoveries into new and better options for the care of patients with cancer. The Center supports one of the broadest ranges of cancer activities in the nation – from fundamental and translational cancer research in molecular genetics and advanced molecular therapeutics, and from population studies of cancer incidence to community education about cancer prevention and risk reduction.

Under supervision, perform cell culture and propagation of tumor cell lines as well as transfection, lentiviral transduction, and cellular fractionation experiments. Responsible for maintaining and inventory of frozen cell stocks and routine testing for mycoplasma contamination. Process tumor specimens by extracting DNA and RNA, as well as perform cloning and subcloning of DNA fragments. Perform molecular biology/cell biologic assays, to study mouse models of cancer. With general supervision, handle mice for surgical procedures, as well as for tumor harvest and processing.

This position will serve as the point of contact with UC San Diego Animal Care Program. These duties will include submission of protocols for review, organization of approved protocols along with mandated record keeping. Train new lab members on ACP rules and regulations and ensure that their training is up to date. Manage a mouse colony of approximately 150 cages, perform weaning and genotyping duties. Act as the Area Safety Coordinator for assigned laboratory space. Responsible for EH&S compliance of the laboratory and the required training of lab personnel. Prepare biosafety protocols for submission to EH&S committees for review. Assist Principle Investigator with departmental budgetary and personnel matters. Integrate information obtained from scientific journals for use in the laboratory and disseminate this information to other lab members.

Responsibilities also include: preparing media and reagents, maintaining laboratory organization and laboratory supplies, purchasing laboratory supplies, and other critical functions as needed for the laboratory to run smoothly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of cell biology and molecular biology and/or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, or other related areas, and/or equivalent education and experience.

• Experience working with mice for surgical procedures, including anesthesia administration. Experience preparing reagents and cells for animal studies, working with animal models of tumors, and performing tumor harvesting. Experience managing a mouse colony, weaning, and genotyping.

• Experience performing routine cell culture techniques, such as pipetting culture media onto growing human cells in culture plates and pipetting trypsin solution onto cell layers. Experience following basic research protocols and instructions closely.

• Experience with extracting DNA and RNA from tumor specimens, and cloning and subcloning of pertinent DNA fragments. Experience performing PCR and qPCR reactions. Experience with transfection of plasmids, siRNA, or other genetic material (retroviruses, lentiviruses) into tumor cell lines.

• Experience with Florescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) experiments and performing luciferase, clonogenic, anchorage independent growth, and other bio-assays including Western blot and ELISA.

• Experience with preparing chemical solutions, including performing gel electrophoresis by mixing gel solutions and pouring into gel molds. Ability to perform standard mathematic computations (calculate molarity) accurately.

• Thorough knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and equipment, such as sterile techniques, preparation of buffers, centrifuges, balance pH meters and electrophoresis equipment.

• Experience working with animal care protocols and laboratory safety coordination and compliance training. Ability to integrate information obtained from scientific journals for use in