Liu Lab - Junior or Assistant Specialist

The Liu Laboratory within the UCSF Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurological Surgery is recruiting a highly motivated candidate with prior laboratory experience to fill a specialist position.

The Liu Lab focuses on developing new treatments for patients with malignancies of the central nervous system by

1) studying the mechanisms through which brain tumors develop and become resistant to treatments and

2) identifying novel therapeutic targets using molecular biology, CRISPR genome and epigenome editing, biochemistry, mouse genetics, bioinformatics, pharmacology, and multidisciplinary collaborations.

We work collaboratively with basic scientists, computational biologists, and physician-scientists at the UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center and broadly throughout the UCSF Campuses.

Please refer to for an overview of research our efforts.

Under direct supervision and guidance, the Junior or Assistant Specialist will play an instrumental role in developing and deploying genetic and epigenetic editing technologies for treating malignant gliomas, working side-by-side with physician-scientist Dr.

John Liu (MD / PhD Assistant Professor).

This project will involve collaboration across the labs of the UCSF Brain Tumor Center as well as the UCSF Preclinical Therapeutics Core.

The employee will learn and utilize a variety of research techniques and have the opportunity to be a co-author on publications as well as present at international conferences.

Under direct supervision and guidance, the job responsibilities and opportunities include but are not limited to :

• Molecular biology including molecular cloning, PCR, DNA / RNA / Protein analysis, DNA methylation epigenetic analysis including bisulfite sequencing
• Culturing human and mouse cancer cell lines, primary brain tumor cultures, and organoids
• Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy analysis
• Performing gene knockdown and epigenetic editing using engineered CRISPR / Cas9 technologies, including genome-wide CRISPR screens
• Assisting with mouse colony management, including breeding, weaning, tagging, and PCR genotyping
• Assisting with intracranial xenograft studies and pharmacologic experiments in mice
• Dissection and dissociation of tumor xenografts for single cell RNA-seq and multi-omics analysis
• Assisting with lab maintenance duties including acquisition of materials and documentation

Prior familiarity with these techniques is a plus but not required, and a willingness to learn new techniques is expected.

In addition, the successful applicant will receive direct mentorship to ensure that specific laboratory responsibilities are tailored and directed toward future career objectives, such as the pursuit of a MD, biomedical PhD, or MD / PhD.

Required Qualifications :

• Specialists appointed at the Junior rank must possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience.
• Specialists appointed at the Assistant rank must possess a master’s degree or a baccalaureate degree with 3 or more years of research experience.
• Strong degree of self-motivation, eagerness to learn and think critically, and enthusiasm for science and / or medicine
• Attention to detail and problem solving ability
• Demonstrated reliability and integrity
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Initiative to work well as part of a team and also independently.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Basic knowledge and understanding of cancer biology
• Effective use of laboratory instruments and their maintenance; knowledge of biomedical and biotechnological techniques and methodologies
• Working knowledge in tissue culture and basic molecular / cell biology
• Knowledge and experience with CRISPR / Cas9 techniques
30+ days ago