The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine is a diverse patient, research, education, and academia focused, high-performing Department with a commitment to quality, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Orthopaedic Surgery provides treatment for disorders of the musculoskeletal system, offering comprehensive and innovative services. The Department offers a full spectrum of musculoskeletal clinical care, specializing in foot and ankle, hand and microvascular surgery, joint reconstruction, physical medicine and rehabilitation, spine, sports medicine, orthopaedic oncology, and trauma. Research expertise includes advancements in muscle metabolism and physiology, neuromuscular bioengineering, intervertebral disc, and musculoskeletal physiology and epidemiology. The Department supports an ACGME accredited residency program and fellowship in hand and microvascular surgery, as well as fellowship programs in joint reconstruction, spine, and trauma.

Under supervision, the research associate will assist in the operation of both human and animal MRI scanners including subject preparation, machine calibration, and data acquisition. Assist with animal surgeries and post-surgical care, performing MRI experiments, and handling data processing and quality control. Assist with performing histological analyses such as tissue sectioning, staining, and imaging, as well as assisting in tissue processing for molecular or cellular studies. Additional responsibilities include image processing, quantitative analysis, record keeping, protocol development, and collaborating on data interpretation. The candidate will also help train students or junior staff and ensure safety and procedural compliance within the lab.

• Theoretical knowledge of Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field typically acquired through formal education at the collegiate level and/or comparable experience.

• Basic knowledge of biomechanics, physiology, biology, or related fields.

• Strong analytic, inductive, and deductive reasoning skills.

• Strong communication skills to act as liaison between PI, laboratory personnel and ACP veterinary staff.

• Knowledge of the operation of specialized image analysis software (i.e. Matlab, ImageJ, or similar).

• Strong written & verbal communication skills needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment.

• Demonstrated skill in accurate record keeping and ability to organize, analyze, and calculate data.

• Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as Access, MS Word and Excel. Knowledge to work with and learn new software for analysis.

• Willingness to learn new techniques and tasks and share knowledge to inform students and paraprofessionals new techniques.

• Demonstrated skill to work with animals, particularly mice, as well as animal and human tissues; tissue trimming and histology analysis, and knowledge in necropsy. Demonstrated knowledge to care for and handle small lab animals (mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits) and to administer medications and anesthesia to perform phlebotomy and minor surgical procedures on animals, euthanize small laboratory animals. Familiarity with the writing of Animal Subjects protocols and with the surgical microscope and surgical procedures.

• Experience with MRI scanning (human or animal) or related imaging modalities.

• Experience with histology, tissue processing, staining, slide scanning.

• Knowledge of general laboratory safety procedures.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to work in human and animal-related research environment.

• Evening and weekend Hours may be occasionally required to maintain/complete experiments.