Staff Research Associate II (9612C) - 43468 About Berkeley
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Departmental Overview
The Blackman Laboratory in the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology requires a Staff Research Associate II to assist with research in evolutionary and ecological developmental genetics using sunflower and monkeyflower as study systems. Research in the lab focuses on how and why plant developmental responses to environmental cues evolve during domestication, adaptation, and speciation.
The position involves a combination of research and lab management responsibilities. Research duties include planning and executing greenhouse, growth chamber, and field studies; molecular and biochemical work (e.g. DNA/RNA extraction, genotyping, qRT-PCR, sequencing library construction); computational analysis; and training and supervising students or volunteers.
The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology is committed to the University of California's mission of dedicated research and to providing a superior education in plant biology, microbiology, and related life sciences. We integrate fast-changing technology and developments into our research and develop collaborative partnerships with other scientists and research institutions at UC Berkeley and around the world.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: 10/14/2022.
Responsibilities
Planning and Carrying Out Experiments:
Includes planning and executing greenhouse, growth chamber, and field studies; carrying out DNA/RNA extractions, PCR or qRT-PCR amplification, sequencing library construction and sequencing; computational or statistical analysis of data. Assist in evaluating research methods, procedures, and techniques, based on established objectives. Provide basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data using specialized statistical computer software. Assist with training other staff members on procedures; may supervise students or volunteers. Assist Principal Investigators and other researchers in developing new strategies and techniques for experimentation. Provide routine, technical, and administrative support to research projects.
Managing Datasets and Seed Stocks:
Record/enter, proofread, organize, and summarize datasets in Excel or other database software; ensure the integrity of large datasets, samples, and notes so they are easily accessible to the Principal Investigator and other lab members; organize and maintain lab seed stocks.
Maintaining and Collecting Data on Experiments in Controlled or Field Conditions:
Take responsibility for daily observations of germination and flowering of plants in greenhouse, growth chamber, or field facilities; measure additional traits as necessary, including image capture of floral development; perform genetic crosses to develop new mapping populations or inbred lines as well as perpetuate existing germplasm.
General Laboratory Administration:
Assist with training other staff members on procedures; supervise students or volunteer personnel and coordinate their work schedules; fulfill the lab's purchasing needs, ensuring supplies are well stocked and communicating with fiscal staff as needed; keep the lab's chemical inventory and compliance with safety regulations up to date.
Required Qualifications
Must be able to perform sterile techniques, prepare media, carry out basic procedures associated with DNA amplification and sequencing, be able to work in a greenhouse, manage data sets utilizing Excel, and follow research protocols and regulatory guidelines with exactness. Must be able to train and supervise student workers and coordinate student work schedules. Good baseline knowledge of genetics, plant biology, and evolutionary biology is essential. Must have strong organizational, computer, and communication skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Drive tools. Excellent oral and written communication in daily interactions is necessary in order to work independently and as part of a team and provide direct support to leaders as needed; and to assist in training, provide work direction, prepare reports, and keep records.
Preferred Qualifications
Associate's degree and at least 2 years of lab experience which may include student experience; or Bachelor's degree in related science; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience using packages relating to statistics, image analysis, phylogeny, sequence alignment, and bioinformatics. Experience building libraries for next-generation sequencing. Experience conducting field experiments with plants.
Salary & Benefits
This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for full UC Benefits. Annual salary is commensurate with experience.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html