Junior Specialist / Assistant Specialist - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - College of Chemistry

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current

salary scale(s) for this position: Specialist Salary Scales. A reasonable full time salary estimate for this position is $57,000 - $65,800.

Percent time:
100%

Anticipated start:
Fall 2026

Position duration:
1 year with possibility of reappointment

The employee will join the Shiyu Xia Lab at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley and participate in research projects focused on molecular cloning, protein expression in bacterial and mammalian cells, protein purification using affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography, protein structural determination using electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography and determining the molecular structures of proteins to understand their biological mechanisms,

Duties will include:

• Conduct molecular cloning, plasmid construction, and DNA assembly using PCR, Gibson assembly, restriction enzyme cloning, bacterial transformation, and sequence verification.
• Perform recombinant protein expression in Escherichia coli and mammalian cell lines through bacterial culture, transient transfection, and stable cell line generation.
• Purify proteins using affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography (FPLC), followed by biochemical characterization using SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and analytical chromatography.
• Perform structural biology experiments, including protein crystallization, X-ray crystallography, negative-stain electron microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation, image acquisition, and structural data analysis.
• Conduct mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and quantitative cellular assays to investigate protein function and signaling pathways.
• Design, execute, and analyze biochemical and biophysical assays to characterize protein-protein interactions, enzyme activity, and biomolecular assemblies.
• Analyze experimental data using appropriate computational and statistical methods, maintain detailed laboratory records, assist with laboratory organization and safety compliance, and contribute to manuscript preparation and presentation of research findings.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree)

Preferred qualifications

• Prior research experience in one or more of the following areas: molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, protein engineering, synthetic biology, or bioengineering.
• Experience with standard laboratory techniques, including molecular cloning, protein purification, mammalian cell culture, microscopy, or related experimental methods.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• 2 required (contact information only)

Apply link:
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05473

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