Animal Technician (9611C), Innovative Genomics Institute - #83093

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Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a partnership between the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. The IGI envisions a world in which genome-engineering innovations benefit humanity and are accessible to all. The Institute's mission is to accelerate genome discovery and translation of resulting technologies in order to ethically and equitably improve human health and sustainable agriculture. Combining the fundamental research expertise and the biomedical talent, the IGI focuses on unraveling the mechanisms underlying CRISPR-based genome editing and applying this technology to cure disease, combat climate change ensure food sustainability, and provide additional benefits for current and future generations.

Position Summary

Oversees operations of the laboratory's mouse colony, including animal husbandry, genotyping, protocol management, and budget tracking. Contributes to the design and execution of in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 experiments, including delivery method development, molecular and behavioral analyses, and evaluation of treatment efficacy and safety. Performs advanced laboratory procedures such as surgeries, injections, flow cytometry, sequencing, and histological analysis. Manages laboratory budgets and procurement, ensures compliance with safety and animal care regulations, and coordinates staff training and inspections. Collaborates with researchers on experimental planning, data analysis, and preparation of publications and presentations.

This Animal Technician (SRA III) position provides a variety of support and research functions within the lab. The ideal candidate is an organized, professional scientist with great leadership and communication skills who enjoys working with mice as a model organism, assisting with multiple projects, taking initiative on process improvement efforts, and contributing to a collaborative research environment.

The SRA III is responsible for research projects that involve planning, designing, and conducting experiments, analyzing results and interpreting data under the supervision of the PI. In addition, the SRA will assist with duties such as ordering, restocking lab, supplies and managing protocols and ensuring lab safety and protocol compliance (including ACUC compliance).

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 12/31/2025. For full consideration, please apply by 01/05/2026.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing all operations of the lab's mouse colony including basic animal husbandry and genotyping of mice, managing logistical amendments to animal use protocols, and assisting to ensure operational budget for the colony stays balanced.
• Contributes intellectually and technically to the design of animal-based experiments for in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 treatment platforms. This includes development of methods to deliver CRISPR systems, molecular and cellular analysis of efficacy and safety of treatments, and animal behavioral characterization during treatment.
• Oversees and coordinates the testing of genome editing-based therapeutics in mice.
• Assists and leads multiple projects, taking initiative on process improvement efforts, and contributing to a collaborative research environment.
• Consults with academic supervisors or professional researchers on the nature and objectives of the research project or instructional design goals.
• Perform precise surgeries and injections. Perform molecular (flow cytometry, sequencing, Western blotting) and histological analyses of tissue following treatment.
• Conduct animal behavioral assays.
• Manages laboratory budget and provides forecasting of future expenditure.
• Maintains research endeavors with collaborators and lab personnel to ensure project objectives and timelines are achieved.
• Ensures regulatory compliance relative to safety in small to medium or single facility; provides for staff training in equipment use and safety protocols; Assist with compliance paperwork.
• Assisting with protocol renewals and safety inspections.
• Performs laboratory research / instruction inventory planning and purchasing.
• Lab support duties include autoclaving waste and ordering and restocking supplies.
• Ensures that specimen collections and equipment are maintained properly.
• Collect, analyze and present data during regular lab team meetings.
• Contributes towards articles for publication in scientific journals or for presentations at conferences or symposiums.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of three years of experience in an academic laboratory setting.
• Experience with sterile tissue culture techniques, PCR, basic lab maintenance duties, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with lab automation, knowledge of material and information tracking in large scale experiments.
• Significant experience with mouse handling, coordinating breeding strategies, and genotyping transgenic mice.
• Solid interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.
• Experience performing small animal surgery and injections, including intravenous injection via tail vein.
• Experience with blood sampling.
• Experience with stereotaxic surgery for compound injection/cannula implantation.
• Experience with intraosseous (IO) infusion.
• Experience with mouse models of genetic disease is required and experience working with humanized mice.
• Experience with mouse necropsy.
• Skilled in histological analysis of tissue including immunohistochemistry.
• Skilled in confocal microscopy techniques.
• Skilled in administering anesthesia/analgesia to small animals.
• 3-years (cumulative) experience working in a biology research lab.
• Bachelor's degree in the life sciences, preferably Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a closely related field and/or equivalent experience/training.

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 annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $69,752.83 (Step 1) - $88,496.48 (Step 13).

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

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

Other Information

• 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. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.