Staff Research Associate 2 (9612C), Innovative Genomics Institute - #79578

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Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute is a joint effort between three of California's leading scientific research institutions, UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and UC Davis, with affiliates at UCLA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Gladstone Institutes, and other institutions. The IGI's diverse group of leading scientists have powerful interdisciplinary expertise. They conduct world-class research, driven by the real possibility of using genome engineering to treat human diseases, end hunger, and respond to climate change.

In addition to our scientific efforts, the IGI is committed to advancing public understanding of genome engineering, providing resources for the broader community, and guiding the ethical use of these technologies.

Position Summary

This Staff Research Associate II supports a range of research and lab operations in a microbiome-focused environment. Primary responsibilities include 1) assisting with in vitro microbial community cultivation and maintenance under anaerobic conditions; 2) supporting metagenomic workflows including DNA extraction, basic bioinformatic processing (e.g., quality control, read trimming, assembly), and data organization; 3) contributing to experimental design, execution, and basic data analysis under the supervision of the PI; 4) performing general lab maintenance tasks such as equipment calibration, autoclaving, and restocking supplies; 5) training and supervising undergraduate lab members in appropriate laboratory techniques and common protocols; and 6) supporting compliance with safety protocols and maintaining accurate records for protocols, inventories, and sample tracking systems.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 07/25/2025.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate flexibility to support or lead research projects as needed, including independently executing laboratory tasks such as phenol-chloroform nucleic acid extractions, quantifying DNA/RNA concentrations, preparing standard and custom solutions for microbiome culture experiments, and performing a range of molecular biology and microbiology protocols.
• Assist in the organization, processing, and preliminary analysis of high-throughput sequencing data using established bioinformatic tools and workflows; maintain data integrity across projects by supporting file management, metadata curation, and documentation of pipelines and results.
• Maintain in vitro microbial cultures under anaerobic conditions, including monitoring growth, preparing media, and performing routine transfers and quality control to ensure culture viability and consistency.
• Participate in the planning, execution, and troubleshooting of laboratory experiments, including maintaining detailed records of protocols, results, and observations, and contributing to the development and refinement of experimental methods in collaboration with the PI and research team.
• Support day-to-day lab operations by maintaining the chemical inventory, ordering supplies, preparing reagents, writing SOPs, assisting with lab equipment maintenance, shipping off samples for sequencing, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols and institutional guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Proficient in core molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction (e.g., phenol- chloroform), DNA/RNA concentration quantification, PCR, and microbial culturing.
• Ability to plan, execute, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments, and to adapt protocols as needed with oversight from a Principal Investigator.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with basic bioinformatic tools for quality control, read processing, and sequence data management (e.g., FastQC, Trimmomatic, BBMap, or similar), as well as scripting in R or Python for data handling and analysis.
• Ability to work in a BSL2 environment, including use of anaerobic chambers and biological safety cabinets.
• Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences or in a related area 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 $60,245.54 (Step 1) - $69,240.17 (Step 8).

• 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 is eligible for up to 25% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

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.