Application Instructions:

Employment History Include your last ten (10) years of employment history, or length of your employment history if less, including all position (even those that are not relevant to this position) and periods of unemployment. Incomplete information could disqualify you from further consideration.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Hollern Lab is seeking an individual who is passionate about science, cancer research, and helping people, is organized, and is comfortable executing protocols at the bench for the position of Lab Coordinator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla (San Diego) California.

The main focus of the Hollern lab is to understand the immunological and molecular landscape of tumors with the goal of leveraging the immune component to promote anti-tumor responses. In more detail, the lab is particularly interested in developing these approaches through the study of B cells and T cells. These studies will be pursued in mouse models and patient specimens.  The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach blending biologically appropriate models, molecular biology, and genomic analytical techniques including single cell and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics to interrogate pertinent questions in a number of in vitro and in vivo translational studies of breast cancer.

Position Highlights:

• Be involved in exciting projects to understand the immunobiology of solid cancers.
• Serve as a lab leader and support a team of innovative scientists.
• Explore novel immunotherapeutic strategies.
• Conduct collaborative studies in an Immunology lab focusing on clinically-relevant translational studies.
• Collaborate with investigators across the globe.
• Opportunity to learn techniques in single-cell and spatial computational genomics and immuno-oncology by projects investigating beneficial patient outcomes and anti-tumor immunity.
• Opportunity to develop new models for immune-oncology research.
• Work toward and contribute to manuscripts.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Lab Coordinator is responsible for overall lab management duties in support of the assigned Principal Investigator’s (PI) and their laboratories. Supervises and performs technical and administrative tasks.  Demonstrates proficiency to operate and teach essential lab protocols. Must be open to training to keep pace with advances in technology and the lab. Maintains adequate inventory of materials and equipment to ensure adequate supplies for experimental needs.  Responsible for pre-award and post-award services for the PI and research staff.  Assists in the development of grant materials and budgets.  Maintains familiarity with federal and state grant rules and processes. Manages lab safety programs to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.  Assists Investigator in personnel management. Conducts scientific research (bench work and computational), scientific project management, and data analysis as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(40%) Research Support:

• Instructs and guides laboratory staff on lab protocols and techniques, to include entry-level staff and Postdoctoral Fellows
• Performs molecular biology techniques (library prep protocols, plasmid assembly, cloning, flow cytometry)
• Performs tissue culture techniques
• Performs bioinformatics analysis (training available)
• Managing murine colonies
• Independently formulates, analyzes, recommends, and executes protocols

(40%) Laboratory Administrative Management

• Manage entry-level lab staff to include Lab Technicians, Students, and/or Volunteers, this includes oversight of employment and assignment activities, performance expectations, and work product for applicable personnel.
• Manage day-to-day operational activities within the research laboratory, including but not limited to ensuring operation of essential equipment, making sure adequate supplies are available for routine experimental procedures, reviewing budgets, etc.
• Assist PI with preparation of materials, data, and information required for grants, meetings, conferences and other scheduled events. Oversee and participate in the distribution of communications and information to the lab group members.
• As delegated, serves as the primary liaison to partnering labs or departments on a variety of operational matters. In coordination with and with final approval from the PI when necessary, is given latitude to make many operational decisions on behalf of the lab.
• Compose correspondence on subject matters that require considerable sensitivity, discretion, judgment, or negotiation in replying to inquiries, and/or presenting or requesting information.
• Use spreadsheet and database software to develop and maintain a variety of databases.
• Determine needs and purchase office supplies and equipment; facilitate office equipment maintenance.

(20%) Research Funds Management and Grant Support

• Manage and maintain financial expenses and reporting.
• Calibrate the financials with Finance and Accounting on a quarterly basis; coordinates with Finance and Accounting on a regular basis. Research details to explain deviations in reports.
• Manage, compile and submit grant proposals.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• 4 or more years of related experience, which may include experience as a Graduate Student, Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Assistant/Technician or related
• Experienced in successfully interacting with a variety of people, including academics, staff, high-level executives, and members of the community from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Experience in a lead capacity to include providing work direction and guidance to others

Preferred:

• 5 or more years of related experience focused in laboratory management

 EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, life sciences or related field or equivalent.

Preferred

• PhD or Master’s degree in biological sciences, life sciences or related field.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required

• Theoretical knowledge of biological sciences;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and oversee independent research. This includes the ability to (a) develop, maintain, execute, and complete research projects of varying size and scope; (b) critically read, understand, and extract information from published medical, chemical, and biological literature to prepare background information for scientific abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant proposals; (c) perform basic data and statistical analysis; and (d) produce high-quality abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant applications.
• Ability to independently design experiments and debug protocols.
• Ability and interest in learning new scientific techniques.
• Ability to manage and track large numbers of samples meticulously without mix-up or cross contamination.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work independently.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with both PC and MAC operating systems, standard business office equipment and commonly used software and tools, such as Microsoft Office, electronic mail, and the internet.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; interact with all levels of management and employees across multiple departments. Ability to communicate and act as a liaison with a diverse audience of professionals. Demonstrated ability to supervise and train students and other technicians.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory management and safety procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and assist with writing scientific papers and grants.
• Ability to review the scientific literature and apply to experimental design
• Ability to make independent decisions, analyze situations, solve problems, and initiate actions for the effective management of a large and complex department.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent written skills and knowledge of English language, including grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person, on the telephone, and in writing to a diverse group of people (including researchers, health care providers, patients, research participants, administrators, industry representatives) in the academic, scientific, medical, and commercial communities.

Preferred:

• R programming skills.
• UNIX programming skills.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment.
• Must be willing to work an adjusted schedule to support research needs.
• Must be willing to learn new techniques.
• Successful completion of the Institute’s background investigation.
• Must be willing to sign an employee confidentiality agreement.

PHSYCIAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires constant standing, analyzing, communicating, reasoning and working inside.