Staff Research Associate (9613C), Molecular & Cell Biology - #77330

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) is one of UC Berkeley's largest academic departments and is by several measures (including number of the faculty and students, budget, and assigned square feet), larger than many UCB colleges and schools. MCB is divided into five divisions: Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology (BBS); Cell Biology, Developmental Biology & Physiology (CDP); Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development (GGED); Immunology and Molecular Medicine (IMM); and Molecular Therapeutic (MTx). The teaching and research activities of the Department of MCB concern the molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the

Position Summary

The staff research associate works in the Instructional Support Services Group and serves as the principal assistant to the senior staff assigned to the undergraduate Immunology Laboratories (MCB 150L and 153L). Under general direction of the senior staff, the Staff Research Associate performs a variety of teaching laboratory support functions for the undergraduate immunology laboratory. It is offered both in the fall and spring semester, and is the core laboratory course for students majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 04/18/2025.

Responsibilities

Lab Research

• Work as part of a team with senior staff to produce and characterize monoclonal antibodies, including immunization and bleeding of mice, assaying serum for antibody content by ELISA, and performing cell fusion.
• Extract and purify genomic and plasmid DNA, assist with recombinant DNA work; conduct RT-qPCR, restrict fragment mapping, PCR, and DNA sequencing.
• Prepare bacterial broth and pour agar plates. Prepare agarose gels for DNA analysis.
• Work independently after consultation with senior staff, pre-run experiments to determine optimal conditions for classroom application.

Teaching Laboratory Preparation

• Under the direction of senior staff and working as part of a cooperative team, the SRA meets with senior staff on a regular basis to discuss the preparation of lab exercises and meets with faculty and GSIs to fine tune lab preparations.
• The SRA reviews the schedule of lab exercises and prepares materials required for class experiments in immunology.

These duties include, but are not limited to:

• Follow procedures in preparation manual, gather and prepare materials needed for the setup of the weekly laboratory exercises.
• Prepare a wide range of complex solutions, sterile media, and biological reagents.
• Set out instruments and supplies in required quantities and in working condition in a timely manner.
• Replenish depleted supplies in between laboratory sessions.
• Disassemble and clean used instruments and materials and return them to proper storage space.

Mammalian Cell Culture

• Assist senior staff with mammalian cell cultures.
• Prepare and dispense media and other reagents.
• Sterilize materials and solutions used in cell culture.
• Initiate feed, passage, and freeze cultures as needed.
• Maintain cell lines used in class.

Laboratory Maintenance and General Housekeeping

• Maintain cleanliness of work areas and classrooms.
• Organize work and storage space to promote efficient and orderly function of the preparation room and classrooms.
• Perform inventory projects of chemicals, supplies and equipment including updating inventory in EXCEL and report to senior staff regarding restocking or replacement to avoid deficiencies.
• Obtain needed items from the storeroom or local shops.
• Pack and label laboratory waste as instructed.
• Work with senior staff and safety officer to ensure classroom and preparation room are free of hazards and laboratory practices are in compliance with campus Environment, Health & Safety regulations.
• Participate in end-of-the-semester projects: clean and realign microscopes, clean water baths and PH meters and other instruments every semester.
• Check pipetmen for accuracy, etc.

Miscellaneous Duties

• Assist senior staff in special projects related to the courses.
• Assist senior staff in preparation of student manual and prep manual.
• Copy handouts and other materials for the classrooms.

Computer Competency:

• Use email to send and receive memo related to job duties.
• Use Word to update preparation and solution protocols.
• Use EXCEL to maintain inventories for the class.
• Prepare labels for classroom equipment.
• Help other classes supported by the unit as need arises.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the biological sciences or related fields, and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience in preparing large quantities of complex solutions, sterile media and biological reagents.
• Experience in using and maintaining a wide variety of instruments and equipment including spectrophotometers, thermal cyclers, microplate readers, microscopes, centrifuges, power supplies, gel boxes, and microscopes.
• Proficient computer skills in MS Word, Excel.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to carefully follow instructions for setting up experiments, ability to ensure that all materials are ready and properly prepared so that students will be successful in their laboratory experiments.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, and ability to develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with faculty, students, supervisors, GSIs, and team members.
• Ability to consistently exercise a high degree of professionalism in relating to students, graduate student instructors, faculty, and co-workers.
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and resourcefulness in approaching problems.
• Ability to stay abreast of rapidly changing technology and tools, and to adapt work methods as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in instruction, or in an academic department of a large institution.
• Background and/or coursework in immunology.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $26.52 (Step 1) - $28.90 (Step 5).

• This is a part-time (50%) position with an one-month (July) furlough. Partial Year-Career position.
• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

Partial-year appointments are career appointments established with regularly scheduled periods during which the incumbents remain employees but are not at work. These scheduled periods during which employees are not at work are designated as furloughs and are unpaid. Such scheduled periods need not be consecutive in time. Furloughs are not to exceed a total of three months in each calendar year. This position has a one-month furlough in July.

This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html

• This is not a visa opportunity.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.