Department of Pediatrics – Junior Specialist (Piao Lab)

UCSF School of Medicine and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
Department of Pediatrics & Weill Institute for Neurosciences
Junior Specialist

The Piao Lab at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at the University of California, San Francisco is seeking applicants for a Junior Specialist position. We welcome highly motivated, organized, and independent individuals to join our collaborative research team. In this role, you will contribute to studies of neuroimmune interactions and their impact on brain development and homeostasis, as well as their roles in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

The selected candidate will join a major academic medical center and established training program. This position would actively contribute to the Department’s mission of excellence in research, education, and patient care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in ongoing studies of mouse models.

  • Working with laboratory animals (e.g., rodents).
  • Involvement in maintaining transgenic mouse colonies and performing essential procedures.

• Conduct independent research under guidance:

  • Pursue independent research projects within the scope of glial-glial and glial-neuronal interactions in brain development and diseases.

• Write and edit manuscripts:

  • Co-author original research articles, review papers, and book chapters.
  • Edit manuscripts and assist in crafting grant applications.

• Perform administrative tasks:

  • Share administrative duties with other SRAs in the lab.
  • Gain experience in routine lab management, including ordering, equipment maintenance, and writing and managing lab protocols.

Required Qualifications:
Specialists appointed at the Junior rank must possess 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).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of biology, neuroscience, or a related field
• At least two years of undergraduate wet-laboratory research experience
• Meticulous recordkeeping, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication skills
• Strong scientific writing skills, with prior editing experience preferred
• Demonstrated passion for science and a positive, collaborative attitude

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period. Salary and rank are commensurate with the applicants experience and training.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$58,600.

Interested candidates can apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF05925 with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for 3 references. Applicant materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission. The selected candidate must meet all of the qualifications at the time of appointment.

For more information contact:
Xianhua Piao, MD, PhD
Professor In Residence
xianhua.piao@ucsf.edu

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is one of the nation’s leading biomedical research institutions. UCSF has consistently ranked among the top public institutions in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, reflecting a long-standing commitment to advancing scientific discovery and improving health. The Department’s clinical enterprise spans UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Mount Zion, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, and multiple outreach clinics throughout Northern California, providing unparalleled opportunities to serve infants, children, and young adults across the Bay Area. For 2024-2025, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals ranked in all 10 children’s specialties in U.S. News & World Report. Located in a region renowned for groundbreaking innovation, UCSF and the Department of Pediatrics bridge research and industry to drive the future of medicine.

• 3 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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 status under state or federal law.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
* “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
* UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
* UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
* APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment