Staff Research Associate 1/2 - Neurological Surgery

JOB SUMMARY

The Staff Research Associate (SRA) position will perform duties that are crucial to providing services to the UCSF Neurosurgery Dept., the Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center and outside institutions. This employee will help procure brain tumor specimens from surgeries, provide histology services for both research and clinical purposes. The SRA will play an integral part in maintaining and building upon our 46-year-old repository. Perform tissue collection, processing and other specialized histological and immunohistochemical tasks within a revenue-generating core facility in support of the UCSF Brain Tumor Center. Specifically, these tasks include:

 Collecting, processing and archiving neurological tumor tissues and blood samples for use by Brain Tumor Center investigators and for NeuroOncology clinical trials. These surgeries may occasionally run longer than scheduled and will require staying past 5pm.  Data entry of patient and biospecimen information into Tissue Bank databases and sample tracking system.  Operating and maintaining core equipment: automatic tissue processor, Ventana automated immunostainers, liquid nitrogen storage systems, microtome and cryostat.  Processing histology requests that entails the generation of paraffin or frozen sections.  DNA isolation from various sources of tissue or blood.  Retrieve and verify consents.  Archive sample retrieval (both frozen and paraffin) for histology or clinical requests

 Maintaining human and animal cell cultures to ensure adequate inventory in the Tissue Bank for distribution.  Performing immunohistochemical staining for major Core projects as well as other individual investigators.  Maintaining antibody inventory, tracking and updating protocol changes, organizing control slides in order to assure results and best utilize resources.  Performing and documenting clinical IHC work: test slides, controls, instrument logs and pathologist review sheets as required by CLIA standards.  Quantifying MIB-1 labeling index to predict tumor cell proliferation and invasiveness.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

%

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No )

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

35

Yes

Performing tissuecollection, processing withina revenue-generating Corefacility in support of the UCSF Brain Tumor Center. Specifically, these tasks include:

Collect brain tumorsamples from the OR—including image-guided biopsies and biospecimens for clinical trials.

Blood processing, transfer and archiving of samples.

DNA isolation fromvarious sources of tissue or blood.

Maintain human andanimal cell cultures to ensure adequate inventory in the Tissue Bank for distribution.

Documenting consent.

Data entry of patient andbiospecimen information intoTissue Bank Databases, and Special Studies website.

Perform and document clinical IHC work:test slides, controls, instrument logs and pathologist review sheets as required by CLIA standards.

Quantifying MIB-1 labeling index to predicttumor cell proliferation and invasiveness

30

Yes

Retrieve archived samplesper request (frozen, paraffin-embedded, tissue &cell culture), perform required preparation for sample distribution (sectioning, staining, pathology review) and managing samples (filing and ordering blocks).

Maintain antibody inventory, tracking and updating protocol changes, organizing control slides in order to assure results and best utilize resources.

15

Yes

Perform other specialized histological and immunohistochemical. Thesetasks include:

Operating the Ventanaautomated IHC instrument.

Archiving stained testslides, corresponding controls and maintaining appropriate documentation for clinical IHC requests according to CLIA and HIPAA standards.

Processing histology requests that entails the generation of paraffin or frozen sections

Performing immunohistochemical staining for major Coreprojects as well as other individual investigators.

10

Yes

Pull patient information and molecular test results for image-guided studies and database entry.

10

Yes

Operating and maintaining core equipment (cryostat, automatic tissue processor, Ventana automated immunostrainer, liquid nitrogen storage systems, tissue embedder, and microtome). Disposing hazardous waste.

100%

(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15,20) then highlight the totalsum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of thecolumn and pressF9. The totalsum should add up to 100%.)

Required Qualifications:

SRA I: BA/BS in Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, or related science; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

SRA II: BA/BS in Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, or related science, including one year of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge and experience of cell culture and basic laboratory techniques

Experience managing large amounts of data for special projects

Mathematical proficiency for preparing antibody dilutions

Experience with basic lab procedures and instrumentation set-up

Experience with basic sterile techniques for tissue culture cell line maintenance

Demonstrated ability to follow instructions and multi-task to meet project deadlines; possess strong attention to details to ensure high quality data

Proven proficiency with Microsoft Office Excel and Word

Preferred Qualifications:

Competency with MS Access

Experience operating with the Ventana Automated Immunostainer

Experience working with human biospecimens

Experience working in a CLIA laboratory and understanding the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality

Experience with tissue collection, preparation and other related logistics for clinical trials