Staff Research Associate 1/2 - Neurological Surgery

Staff Research Associate 1/2 - Neurological Surgery 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. Retrieve archived samples per request (frozen, paraffin-embedded, tissue & cell culture), perform required preparation for sample distribution (sectioning, staining, pathology review) and managing samples (filing and ordering blocks). Pull patient information and molecular test results for image-guided studies and database entry. Operating and maintaining core equipment (cryostat, automatic tissue processor, Ventana automated IHC instrument, liquid nitrogen storage systems, tissue embedder, and microtome). Disposing hazardous waste. Perform other specialized histological and immunohistochemical tasks. These include: Operating the Ventana automated IHC instrument. Archiving stained test slides, 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 Core projects as well as other individual investigators. DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

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