Northern California HERC

Assistant Professional Researcher position available in the Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Availability: August 2026

Description: We are currently seeking a highly qualified candidate as an Assistant Professional Researcher in the Dept. of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. The position will both be under the direction of Arun Wiita, MD, PhD. Our lab at UCSF focuses on immunotherapy, quantitative proteomics, and bench to bedside applications in blood cancers.

The role will have four major foci: 1) development and optimization of new cellular therapies with potential for clinical translation in multiple myeloma; 2) development of novel patient-derived xenograft models of multiple myeloma; 3) study of tumor immunology of multiple myeloma using immunocompetent mouse models; 4) bioinformatics of 'omics datasets related to myeloma patients or models. Specific techniques to be used include: cell culture, molecular cloning, lentiviral transduction, flow cytometry, genetic engineering of T-cells using CRISPR or related approaches, in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity assays, murine tissue harvest, functional assays with murine immune cells, and other related assays for preclinical therapeutic assessment. Computational approaches will include analysis of genomic and transcriptomic datasets as well as experience in machine learning approaches. This role will work in close collaboration with the clinical myeloma service at UCSF, one of the largest such programs in the country, as well as other leading clinical and immunotherapy groups at UCSF.

The ideal candidate for this position will be proficient in a highly collaborative environment, working with academic research groups and myeloma clinicians as well as with biotech industry partners. Additional responsibilities will include collaborative grant writing, organization and maintenance of institutional animal care protocols, and mentoring of junior scientist trainees in the group. Extensive opportunities are available for participating in abstracts and publications. Training goals and specific projects will be tailored to the candidate's long term career goals. Candidates should have a strong interest in directly improving patient care through their research and gaining experience in preclinical therapeutic development in cancer.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants will hold an MD or PhD (or equivalent terminal degree). The candidate will have at least 5 years of laboratory-based research experience as well as experience in lab organization and mentoring of junior trainees. The candidate must have a strong publication record and evidence of research productivity. In terms of technical "wet bench" skills, the candidate must have prior experience in cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular cloning, cellular therapy development, CRISPR/Cas9, and in vivo tumor modeling. In terms of "dry lab" skills, the candidate must have proficiency in genomic and transcriptomic analysis as well as experience in machine learning approaches. Prior clinical experience treating multiple myeloma patients is preferred.

Environment: The University of California, San Francisco is a premier academic medical center excelling in both clinical care and basic science research. The Wiita lab in the Dept. of Laboratory Medicine and Dept. of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences is a multidisciplinary research group offering extensive opportunities for training. Our interests span development of novel cancer immunotherapies, mechanistic biology in blood cancers, translational research and drug development in hematologic malignancies, and new technology development combining mass spectrometry-based proteomics, chemical biology, and genome engineering. Dr. Wiita is also a member of the Biohub, providing opportunities for collaboration with leading groups across UCSF, Stanford, and Berkeley. The Wiita lab is also an affiliate of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, a nation-wide network of leading groups focused on harnessing the immune system to eliminate cancer.

Funding: The Wiita lab is currently extensively funded by 16 different federal, state, and private awards as well as philanthropic donations to UCSF.

See Table 13B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $96,700-$126,400.

Please apply online, with a CV, cover letter, and two references.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
* "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
* UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
* UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
* APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment