Research Specialist II at San Diego State University Research Foundation – San Diego, California

San Diego State University Research Foundation
Research Specialist II

US--San Diego

Job ID: 2026-20123
Type: Full-Time Contract
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research/Project
Shiley Bio Science Center

Overview

This position has been budgeted at $26.00 per hour and is non-negotiable.

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU achieved its strategic plan goal of becoming an R1, premier public research university in early 2025 furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university’s strategic aspirations.

Our core values:

Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU’s goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seeking to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development.

Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues.

Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles.

Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Integrity: We are committed to act with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

The Haricharan lab focuses on the role of DNA damage repair in resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer, as well as cancer disparities and precision oncology. Under immediate supervision, the Research Specialist gathers, compiles and analyzes research data.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under immediate supervision, the Research Specialist gathers, compiles and analyzes research data. The Haricharan lab is looking for a candidate with robust in-vivo expertise who can commit to a long term role with the lab to assist with translational research projects.

Responsibilities

Live In-Vivo Experimentation 50%

• Assist with surgeries and routine dosing using different routes such as SC and IP.
• Perform orthotopic xenograft tumor implantation and tumor measurements using caliper
• Blood collection, tissue harvesting, necropsies
• Support mouse breeding colonies including breeding setup and genotyping.
• Conduct wet lab experiments including cell culture, DNA/RNA/protein extraction, PCR, qPCR, Western Blotting, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Bench or Laboratory Functions 50%

• Support laboratory management including supply inventory/procurement, writing IACUC and BUA protocols, maintaining EH&S compliance, and submitting grant progress reports
• Be able to analyze and interpret data from different sources and draw relevant conclusions
• Work collaboratively across lab functions and train other junior lab staff as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor

Other Duties as Assigned 5%

Qualifications

Knowledge & Abilities

• Have strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Excellent data presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
• Possess strong attention to detail, analytical, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be flexible to work various schedules and hours including weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, Prism, and ImageJ/Fiji is a plus
• Basic skills in immunohistochemistry and tissue processing
• Basic skills in rodent models of disease.
• Experience with standard statistical analyses of data.
• Experience with scientific data documentation and reporting.

Education & Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four year university
• Two years of experience in technical research or statistical work experience

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• 1 year of experience related to working directly with laboratory animals or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained is required.
• Experience managing a cancer biology research lab with in vivo experimental models.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law. Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices. SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.