Junior Specialist – Ho Lab Full-time

Junior Specialist – Ho Lab

Neurological Surgery / SCHOOL OF MEDICINE / UC San Francisco

Application Window

Open date: February 20, 2026

Most recent review date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Friday, Aug 20, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description

Dr. Winson Ho Lab in the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Center at University of California, San Francisco are seeking applications for a Junior Specialist. Our lab is focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms driving immunosuppression and evasion in brain tumor microenvironment, such as the biology of tumor associated macrophage and microglia. The candidate will apply cutting-edge approaches in cancer immunology research to develop immunotherapy for brain tumor. The selected candidate will contribute to a team in the performance of laboratory and investigative procedures by conducting a variety of experimental techniques such as immunology-based assays, molecular cloning, cell culture (cell lines and primary cells), qPCR, WB, flow cytometry and animal work. The successful candidate should be able to learn new cell biological assays quickly and execute them. Data will need to be collected, verified, recorded, and compiled in support of research.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Performing various investigative procedures and operating a variety of instruments and other scientific equipment after training. Examples of equipment routinely used are: flow cytometry machine, FACS sorter, qPCR machine.
2. Immune and cancer cell-based co-culture assays.
3. CRISPR gene modification technology for immune and cancer cell lines. Lentivirus and retrovirus plasmids design and virus transduction.
4. Animal work in vivo studies such as intracranial injection, mice breeding colony maintenance, isolate brain tumor tissue for further analysis.
5. Collect, record, organize and verify the accuracy of data; perform calculations and prepare charts, graphs and reports. May use software applications to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and test reports.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. or B.A. degree in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field by the time of hire.
• Ability to learn new technology quickly.
• Ability to communicate verbally well.
• Ability to draft routine reports and keep accurate records of work performed.
• Actively seeks opportunities to increase skills and expertise.
• Able to learn complex tasks with general instruction.
• Applicant's materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Immunology and bioinformatics is preferable.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 – $58,600.