SUMMARY:

As a Research Assistant IV, this position will be supporting the laboratory of Dr. Tony Hunter. The position will be responsible for performing molecular and cell biology experiments, and assists with personnel and laboratory management in support of lab and PI research goals.  Primary responsibilities include assisting PI with laboratory, personnel, and space management, grant writing, and regulatory protocols, as well as various other administrative duties and serving as a liaison to many Institute administrative offices.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lab Management

• Ensure lab safety and implement solutions.
• Manage lab space (maintenance, and organization).
• Ensure equipment is operational, arrange maintenance/repairs, develop SOPs, and maintain equipment logs.
• Write detailed lab protocols, train other lab members by providing technical expertise and research related support.
• Organize and attend lab meetings to discuss future research direction and assist with general problem-solving.
• Manage orders, assist with lab budget, and funding coordination with PI.
• Coordinate sample distribution, and initiate material transfer agreements.
• Oversee freezer/supply inventories, and annual equipment inventory.
• Address staff issues, collaborate with PI if necessary, and implement solutions.
• Communicate with Salk departments and other labs, and advocate lab needs.
• Assist in hiring, welcoming new personnel, supervising, and providing access to training and resources.

Research Support

• Perform molecular biology techniques including gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunopurification, DNA/RNA Extraction, and recombinant DNA techniques.
• Maintain tissue culture of various cell lines.
  • Retroviral and Lentiviral particle preparation, concentration, and transduction.
  • Perform transfections of various cell lines.
  • Generate and maintain inventory of frozen cell stocks.
• Analyze literature for experimental approaches, and make recommendations.
• Assist with grant/contract writing and provide input for project publications.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises 1-2 employees within the MCBL-H Lab.
• Indirectly supervises 10-12 employees within the MCBL-H lab.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 6 years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Education; Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 8 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline.
• Computer skills required: Proficiency with Mac and/or Windows operating systems and common office software (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Etc.)
• Experience using research and procurement software (Image Quant, SciQuest, etc.) preferred.
• Other skills preferred:
  • Demonstrated experience with molecular biology, microscopy, and protein techniques.

SALK VALUES:

• Integrity - Guides our moral compass and underpins our every action. We do what is right in all situations for no other reason than because it is right. We uphold honesty and ethical behavior and make good on our commitments. We understand that words and deeds matter and that integrity leads to trust.
• Community - Enables us to harness the power of our collective talents. We work together towards common goals. We recognize the importance of diversity where everyone’s ideas, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and pave the paths that propel us forward. We understand our pioneering role in the broader scientific community and take pride in our efforts to have a positive impact on the world.
• Accountability - Keeps us focused, and keeps us honest. We are responsible not only for our own success, but the success of our teams and the entire Institute. We consider how the actions we take and the decisions we make in our own work may impact others.
• Respect - Creates the foundation of trust and brings out the best in us all. We value the experiences, identities, and feelings of those we work with, regardless of their position or their relationship to us. We provide feedback in a constructive manner, use appropriate language, and allow others to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule.
• Empowerment - Amplifies all voices and inspires the pursuit of greatness. We lift each other up, enabling us to grow continuously and live to our fullest potential. We support the expression of ideas, encourage self-advocacy, inspire confidence and recognize that an environment of mutual respect is critical to our collective success.

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

The expected pay range for this position is $67,500-$85,000 per annum. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand
• Frequently required to walk
• Continually required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Frequently required to taste or smell
• Occasionally exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)

• Occasionally work in high, precarious places
• Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally exposure to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
• Occasionally exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 25 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and continually lift and/or move less than 10 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Must be willing to work in a lab that occasionally uses radioactivity.
• Must be willing to work in a lab that uses mice as model systems for cancer biology work.

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.