Job Description
We invite you to consider this great opportunity!
Why does aging simultaneously impair host defense while increasing susceptibility to inflammatory disease? How do tissue-resident stromal cells and prior environmental exposures reshape immune function over the lifespan?
About the Team
Our lab studies how the lung parenchyma shapes immune responses, with a particular focus on how aging alters these interactions. Building on prior work defining stromal–immune circuits that drive inflammatory T cell responses in the aged lung (Allen et al., Immunity, 2026), we aim to further dissect how these interactions maintain tissue homeostasis and contribute to disease.
The Allen Lab is a new lab opening at Cedars-Sinai this Fall and is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate II to join the team.
About the Role
This position involves participation in multiple aspects of the research process, including experimental design, data generation, and reporting of findings. Due to the time required for training in laboratory-specific protocols, a two-year commitment is required.
Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate II performs routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures and develops technical expertise in one or more areas relevant to research projects. The incumbent will participate in research activities involving all aspects of the research process, to include, but not limited to; investigation, technical, testing/validation of results, and report findings. The RA II lab member will perform a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of laboratory research projects. The Associate will observe and follow safety standards and procedures, assist in preparation of data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings, and assist in general laboratory maintenance. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Designs new complex or unusual protocols and techniques.
- Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and assist in identifying and troubleshooting of unexpected results.
- Orders laboratory supplies and supports laboratory operations.
- Maintains lab equipment and related records and may coordinate use of lab equipment.
- Assists in the operation of specialized equipment, as required by the area of research.
- Orients research laboratory assistants or lower level research associates and undergraduate student researchers on day-to-day lab operations and routine procedures.
Department-Specific Duties:
- Designing and executing molecular and cellular biology experiments (e.g., PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry).
- Performing and optimizing in vivo experiments, including animal handling, genotyping, and experimental procedures.
- Analyzing and validating experimental results, and assisting in data interpretation.
- Contributing to the preparation of figures, presentations, and manuscripts.
- Assisting with general laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, and inventory management.
- Maintaining accurate experimental records and adhering to laboratory safety protocols.
Qualifications
Education, Experience, and Skills Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences is required.
- One year of research laboratory experience is required.
- Understanding of general research objectives and experience with routine laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
- Must possess digital literacy.
Our compensation philosophy
We offer competitive total compensation that includes pay, benefits, and other recognition programs for our employees. The base pay range shown above takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including knowledge/skills; relevant experience and training; education/certifications/licensure; and other business and organizational factors. This base pay range does not include our comprehensive benefits package and any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role. Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision (PDF) (opens in new window)
Diversity and Inclusion at Cedars-Sinai
We are caretakers and innovators committed to the pursuit of equitable healthcare. But health equity is not possible without representation. Our commitment to diversity goes beyond demographics or checking boxes. Our people must reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and patients we serve – because that’s what our patients, colleagues and communities deserve. Quality Care and Research—For All, By All (opens in new window).
Cedars-Sinai is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cedars-Sinai does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of the race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics or any genetic information), marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age (40 or older), military and/or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Applicant_Accommodation@cshs.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Cedars-Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
At Cedars-Sinai, we are dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and employees. This includes protecting our patients from communicable diseases, such as influenza (flu) and COVID-19. For this reason, we require that all new employees receive a flu vaccine based on the seasonal availability of flu vaccine (typically during September through April each year) as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, subject to medical exemption or religious accommodation. For the same reason, you may also be required to receive other vaccines such as COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Cedars-Sinai reserves the right to make modifications to its required list of vaccines as required by law and/or policy. Cedars-Sinai’s AA Policy Statement (PDF) (opens in new window)