Laboratory Technician III at Veterans Medical Research Foundation of Sd – LA JOLLA, California

Position Title: Laboratory Technician

Position posting date: 04/20/2026

Position start date: ASAP or until filled

Salary/Range: Dependent on Experience (DOE)

Status: Full time (40 hours/week), benefits eligible

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, variable hours between 8:00am to 4:30pm

Service/Division: Research Infectious Diseases

Work Location: UCSD

Job Code: ML 1399

Salary: $28.00 – $30.99 per hour

The lab tech performs essential duties to keep the lab running, including replenishing and restocking supplies, cleaning glass and plastic-ware, and ensuring incubators have sufficient water and CO2. Under the direction of the Pls, they will also conduct molecular virology and cell biology laboratory experiments, analyze and present the data and the opportunity to participate in manuscript and grant application preparation.

Duties and responsibilities:

· Make common/shared lab solutions and media, e.g., LB broth, for bacteria (once per week).

· Transport collected and double-red-bagged biohazardous trash to loading dock for disposal as medical waste, 2-3 times per week.

· Cleans and autoclaves glass- and plastic-ware, once per week or once every two weeks.

· Replaces 10% household bleach in buckets, every other day.

· Stocks/shelved newly received supplies and logs them as received (as needed, maximum daily).

· Checks cell culture incubators for water and associated CO2 tanks; assists with replacing tanks when needed (twice per week).

· Checks freezers, including liquid nitrogen freezer for ice accumulation, liquid nitrogen level, and compressor air filters for dust.

· In collaboration with the Pls, conduct experiments involving standard cell biology and molecular virology methods, including PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, luciferase assays, ELISA, cloning and plasmid preparation, and cell culture including transfection and infection with HIV-1 and lentiviral vectors.

· Keep detailed and accurate records of experimental procedures and results.

· Participate in lab meetings and research meetings with collaborators and colleagues.

· Analyze and interpret data and prepare results for presentation at regular lab meetings.

· Attend all required training sessions (e.g., lab safety modules) and adhere to due dates for refresher training.

· Maintain a collegial relationship with lab members and collaborators.

· Monitor for and report any unsafe laboratory conditions including equipment that is not in compliance with safety standards.

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in a related field from an accredited college or university AND at least 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.