Gaia Medical Institute
Research Assistant
Saliva diagnostics of brain injury and dementia
Gaia Medical Institute is a rapidly growing biotech company located at 505 Coast Boulevard South in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California. Our mission is to improve Brain Health through saliva diagnostics. We are developing commercial saliva tests for traumatic brain injury and early-stage dementia in collaboration with clinical research teams at UCSD and other Universities.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
- This is a full-time position in the Gaia laboratory in La Jolla. The hours of operation are Mon-Fri, 8:30 am to 5 pm.
- The candidate will work in a laboratory environment performing saliva immunoassays. The assays include enzymatic chemiluminescence Western blot (ECL WB) and sandwich immunohistochemical staining (IHC). The WB assay includes digital image capture and analysis of saliva biomarkers using the ChemiDoc analyzer. The IHC assay includes robotic coversliping, whole slide image capture using the S210 NanoZoomer scanner and digital image analysis to measure saliva-based disease biomarkers.
- In addition, the candidate will assist with administrative tasks to keep the lab running smoothly. These tasks include assistance with purchasing of lab supplies, reagent inventory and equipment maintenance.
Enthusiasm for continuous, self-directed learning and a genuine interest in scientific research is crucial to success in this job.
Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed and discussed during the interview process.
COMPENSATION: Salary is commensurate with experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Require a Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related scientific discipline. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant work experience may be considered.
- 1+ year employment in a research laboratory including hands-on experience with WB or IHC assays.
- Work under minimal supervision with a high level of self-initiative and accurate time management.
- Meticulous, highly organized bench work.
- Lab Notebook kept carefully and punctually.
- Able to exactly follow a detailed protocol a during bench work.
- Knows how to use common lab reagents, supplies and equipment.
- Skilled in basic laboratory procedures such as pipetting, preparation of buffers, and pH measurement.
- Experienced in lab calculations and metric units for measuring volume and weight as needed to prepare buffers, serial dilutions of antibodies and similar tasks.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel to do basic statistics (average, standard deviation etc) and present data in tables and charts.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ year employment in a research laboratory.
- Independently conducts a wide variety of standard laboratory techniques/procedures.
- Troubleshoots procedures as necessary.
- Hands-on experience with WB or IHC assays including digital data capture and analysis.
- Skilled in data analysis and interpretation.
- Familiar with routine equipment maintenance.
WE OFFER
- A career in clinical biotechnology with a company that has a national scope, in a professional yet informal work environment with wide opportunities for professional growth and career development.
- Competitive pay.
- Medical, Vision and Dental insurance.
- Paid time off (sick leave, vacation and personal time off) and 6 federal holidays.
- Terrific location by the ocean in La Jolla, free parking in gated underground garage and rooftop outside patio with panoramic ocean views.
TO APPLY
Provide: Resume and three recent References
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,600.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- How many years of hands-on experience with Western blot or IHC assay do you have?
Education:
Experience:
- working with antibodies: 1 year (Required)
- hands on laboratory employee: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- La Jolla, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person