Bc Cancer Research Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Payroll Title:
SRA 2 NEX Department:
RADIATION MED & APPLIED SCI Hiring Pay Scale
$32.79 - $42.43 / Hour Worksite:
Moores Cancer Center Appointment Type:
Limited Appointment Appointment Percent:
40% Union:
RX Contract Total Openings:
1 Work Schedule:
Days, Variable, Monday-Friday
#141073 Cancer Research Assistant - RMAS
Filing Deadline: Tue 9/15/2026
Apply Now
UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.
This position is a part-time limited position with the possibility of extension/career conversion.
Reassignment Applicants : Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
DESCRIPTION
The Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences (RMAS) has a strong commitment to research in a wide variety of disciplines including health outcomes and equity, health services, basic science, radiobiology, imaging, technology development and implementation, clinical trials, education, and systems engineering and design. RMAS researchers are funded by multiple societies and organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DOD), American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Under supervision, design experiments, make observations, and record experimental data related to research projects. Use basic cellular and molecular biological techniques, perform tissue and sterile cell culture, immunologic assays, ELISA and development of plasmid and viral based gene transfer vectors. Works with animal studies including breeding, injections, tumor models, and maintaining and screening transgenic mouse colony. Assist and perform irradiation of cells and tissues in the radiation core facility. Perform fluorescent imaging, necropsy, tissue processing, flow cytometry, cell sorting and histology. Perform basic laboratory activities including ordering reagents and equipment, financial tracking, and researching journal articles to find appropriate protocols and regulations for experiments. Maintain laboratory environmental health and safety activities, including radioactive waste, chemical waste and biological waste disposal.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry or a related field as typically attained by a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with all aspects of tissue culture including freezing, thawing, counting cells and splitting cultures.
• Demonstrated skill in the operation and maintenance of various lab equipment such as microscopes and centrifuges.
• Experience in the operation and maintenance of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) machines such as FACSCalibur, LSRII, BD Aria, Agilent NovoCyte.
• Experience in caring for and handling small lab animals (mice and rats) and in administering medications and anesthesia to perform phlebotomy and minor surgical procedures on animals. Experience in euthanizing small laboratory animals. Familiarity with the writing of Animal Subjects protocols and with the surgical procedures. Willingness and ability to work with rodents and/or other lab animals and/or infected samples.
• Experience with standard repetitive techniques that may be required in research protocols related to a specific lab. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and apply protocols in conducting research. Demonstrated ability in following step wise experimental protocols. Skill to troubleshoot adaptations of experimental protocols.
• Demonstrated experience working with murine tissues; tissue processing, histology analysis, and knowledge in necropsy.
• Demonstrated experience reading and using Material Safety Data Sheets. Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience working in and maintaining a sterile environment.
• Demonstrated skill in accurate record keeping and ability to organize, analyze, and calculate data. Knowledge in basic math for maintaining ledgers, income and expenditure reports.
• Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Knowledge to work with and learn new software for analysis.
• Manual dexterity and legible handwriting. Ability to assist with general lab maintenance, including cleaning and restocking supplies and managing a regular schedule in the lab.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment, as well as effectively and accurately document research procedures. Ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge sufficient to coordinate studies with other departments and the lab. Skill to plan and organize work assignments in an efficient and productive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to assist in the writing of papers for publication, research proposals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of UCSD Environmental Health and Safety requirements including the ability to write with correct syntax and grammar and to clearly communicate ideas and protocols in writing to EH&S.
• Enthusiasm for learning new techniques and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles. Ability to train students on same.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Must be willing and able to work in BioSafety Level II environment.
• Must be willing and able to work with small animals and biohazardous materials.

Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $68,466 - $110,142 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $32.79 - $52.75
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
Apply Now
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.
UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!
Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .
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.
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace