The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. USC is consistently ranked among the nation’s most prestigious universities, and the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology features one of the world’s best degree and research programs in gerontology. The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has an international reputation as a hub of aging research and with additional strong programs throughout the university, leads the way in defining and advancing the field of gerontology: https://gero.usc.edu

The Lee Lab at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is seeking a Project Assistant (fixed-term, 4 months) to join our staff and student community. Our lab studies mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs), a class of small bioactive peptides encoded in the mitochondrial genome, including MOTS-c. We investigate how these peptides regulate metabolism, cellular stress responses, and aging, and how they can be developed into therapeutics for age-related diseases, including cancer. This is a hands-on bench position that functions as the lab's core staff scientist and lab manager.

The Project Assistant (Fixed-Term)will run experiments end to end, keep the lab running day to day, and contribute to manuscripts and grant applications. The work includes mammalian cell culture, mouse studies (handling, treatment and dosing, metabolic phenotyping, tissue collection), molecular and biochemical assays, live-cell imaging, sample processing, and data entry and management. Reporting directly to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Changhan David Lee, the Project Assistant will work closely with the lab's graduate students and postdocs as well as collaborators across USC, including the Keck School of Medicine and the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with cell culture and standard molecular biology techniques, working familiarity with Microsoft Office and common data analysis and imaging software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, ImageJ), excellent communication skills, and strong attention to detail. Previous experience as a Research Assistant or technician in a molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or physiology lab is preferred; mouse handling experience is a plus. This position requires careful record keeping, sound judgment in a shared lab environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Under the direction of the PI, perform and assist with experiments, including cell culture, mouse studies, tissue and sample collection and processing, molecular and biochemical assays (e.g., western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, immunostaining and microscopy, metabolic assays), basic data analysis, and record keeping.
• General lab management: maintaining and ordering supplies and reagents, equipment maintenance, and maintaining compliance with safety, training, and animal-use protocols (IACUC, IBC, EH&S), including protocol amendments and renewals.
• Performing literature reviews, grant submissions, publications, figure and methods preparation, and reports.
• Training and supporting new lab members, including undergraduate and rotation students.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular or cell biology, physiology, neuroscience, or a related science field. Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with cell culture and molecular biology techniques; prior mouse work is strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills are essential.
• The candidate must have the ability to work independently and have a passion for the lab's scientific mission and a commitment to exceptional quality.

This is a non-exempt position with work expected on campus and occasionally on weekends (e.g., for animal studies and time-course experiments). Benefits include a competitive salary and a rich array of USC benefits including healthcare (including dental and vision), 403(b), tuition reimbursement, national holidays, paid vacation, and more.

The hourly rate range for this position is $25.96-$29.19. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

This position is funded by a research grant. Accordingly, your position is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from this grant to continue employment.

If you are interested, please submit your completed application, including a cover letter and resume with references.

Thank you for your interest!

USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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