The Moores Cancer Center (MCC) is one of just 57 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States and the only one in San Diego County. As a consortium cancer center, it is a collaborative partnership between the UCSD: encompassing 28 departments, 6 schools (School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Biological Sciences & the School of Physical Sciences), UCSD Health oncology hospitals and clinics; the basic and public health research and outreach of San Diego State University (SDSU), and the basic and translational research of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJI). These various programs and units are all dedicated to fulfilling the Moores Cancer Center's mission of reducing cancer's burden. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting the continuum of cancer research, providing advanced patient care, and serving the community through outreach and education programs. As a top-ranking, future-oriented organization, we offer challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment. Moores Cancer Center follows a progressive philosophy of career-path development for its employees including opportunities for cross-training, professional development, and progressive responsibility.

MCC's mission is to transform cancer care in our catchment area and beyond by driving exceptional scientific discoveries and innovations in prevention, detection, care, and training. MCC will make a global impact on improving health by reducing cancer burden through accelerated discovery and translation, compassionate and interdisciplinary care, education and community engagement, with the foundation of our core values - Excellence, Innovation and Risk-Taking, Collaboration, Diversity and Service.

Under general supervision, serve as Histotechnologist and laboratory manager. Make significant innovative contributions pertaining to performing histology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry on samples from humans or rodents while developing new techniques and using standard protocols. Coordinate with requestor lab personnel in order to optimize performance of specific histological procedures. Maintain automated immunostainer and troubleshoot as needed. Make significant changes in specific protocols, following published information after checking with laboratory director. Make sure all controls are available as need for use in the various histochemical and immunohistology assays. Provide Cancer Center investigators publication quality images from histology processed samples- processed using a variety of histology, histochemistry and immunohistology assays. Oversee quality control for every stain and assay with digital photomicrographs.

Laboratory management to include growing the recharge service, maintain billing and service invoices, manage database to access billing enquiries, oversee good laboratory practice, maintain logbooks in preparation for laboratory inspections, control slides, antibodies and stains. Maintain Standard Operating Procedures, and update investigators frequently with references. Prepare buffers and solutions as needed. Maintain laboratory environmental health and safety activities, including radioactive waste, chemical waste and biological waste disposal. Supervise and train students in histochemical methods as needed. Train personnel on use of automated stainer. Train personnel as needed for certification in histotechnology.

• Advanced theoretical knowledge and/or Bachelor's Degree in biology, histology, and histochemistry.

• Background knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

• Strong demonstrated experience in histology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry, such as cutting frozen and paraffin sections, and performing cell suspensions, hematoxylin and eosin stains.

• Strong demonstrated experience with automated immunostainer.

• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) needed to interact professionally and effectively in the work environment, as well as effectively and accurately document research procedures. Ability to read, comprehend and discuss research materials.

• Ability to work with a variety of personnel from different laboratories and instruct in optimal procedures for histochemical and immunohistochemical assays.

• Strong demonstrated ability to utilize published methods in constructing interpretable immunohistochemical assays.

• Demonstrated ability to work with supervising pathologist in maintaining quality control on various projects as needed.

• Demonstrated skill and ability to keep accurate data.

• Experience with the operation of a personal computer and software application, such as Access, MS Word and Excel.

• Knowledge in basic math for maintaining ledgers, income and expenditures reports.

• Demonstrated ability to follow established Safety and Biohazardous Material Guidelines.

• Demonstrated organizational skills to order and maintain lab equipment and supplies.

• Experience in following step-wise experimental protocols.

• Must be willing and able to work with rodents, biohazardous material and potential carcinogens.

• Histotechnologist Certification with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

• Willingness to obtain qualification in immunohistochemistry within a year of employment.

• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing and able to work with rodents, biohazardous material, and potential carcinogens.

• Must be willing to work on evenings or weekends as needed.