Lab Assistant 3 (9602C) - 58169 About Berkeley
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Departmental Overview
Department of Integrative Biology is a dynamic group of researchers answering important questions in evolutionary, ecological and functional biology in an interdisciplinary collaborative environment. 1B shares rich connections with 4 natural history museums, and is a leading force in promoting field research and educational opportunities. We address problems relevant to human health and origins, the diversity of life, and biological interactions at all scales. Research in the Tarvin Lab (www.tarvinlab.org) integrates studies of natural history with genomics and phylogenetics. Specifically, our research aims to elucidate causal genetic mechanisms underlying novel traits, to characterize phenotypic diversification at macro and micro-evolutionary scales, and to identify factors that promote and constrain biodiversity. Current projects focus on the evolution of chemical defenses in poison frogs, flies, and snakes. This position will involve helping to set up and maintain a colony of poison frogs and conducting experiments and lab management tasks as part of poison frog research and experimental evolution research with Drosophila melanogaster. Our work couples a comprehensive set of physiological assays with high resolution genome sequencing and transcriptomics to unravel the mechanisms of chemical defense evolution.
The shapira lab is seeking a lab assistant, responsible for ordering, safety, and maintenance of instruments (mainly standard microscopes and an Illumina MiniSeq), as well as strain collections and databases. This will involve growing and maintaining bacterial and C. elegans cultures, and understanding basic molecular and imaging techniques. The hired person will additionally supervise and take part in preparation of reagents, and in training of newcomers to the lab.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: 09/05/2023.
Responsibilities
Maintain strain collections and databases, involving growing and maintaining bacterial and C. elegans cultures; generate new strains using standard C. elegans protocols and PCR screening. Maintain and help running experiments on the Illumina MiniSeq Instrument. Initiate mentoring of newcomers to the lab. Introduce them to basic protocols, available resources, and lab etiquette. Serve as lab representative responsible for all safety matters (chemical, biological, etc). Will also be in charge of maintenance of instruments (mainly microscopes and an Illumina MiniSeq). Responsible for taking inventory of and ordering supplies through approved vendors in the BearBuy system. Manage and distribute routine lab chores (medium and plate preparation, etc.) between lab members. Document and update common lab protocols.
Required Qualifications
Technical assignments at this level typically require scientific knowledge and skills which might be expected from incumbents at the college "upper division" level or from incumbents who have acquired equivalent knowledge and skills through experience. Basic microbiology techniques and aseptic practices. Experience with biochemical and molecular biology techniques. Familiarity with basic computer software (knowledge of working with Excel/word/PowerPoint, etc).
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in C. elegans research (strain maintenance, mating). Advanced biochemical skills: Western blots, kinase assays, co-immunoprecipitation. Experience in C. elegans specific protocols - genetic screens, SNP mapping, microinjecting to worms to create transgenic strains, constructing injectable DNA constructs (by PCR, ligations, cell transformation, plasmid extraction, etc.).
Salary & Benefits
This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) non-exempt career position, which is paid hourly and eligible for full UC 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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $24.65 (Step 1) - $26.80 (Step 3).