Junior Research Assistant

About the role

To assist in the data acquisition and data analysis of experimental laboratory research under the direction of Professor Meaghan Deegan, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Aid in the Synthesis and Study of New Molecules
• Synthesize various organic, inorganic, and organometallic molecules using air-free Schlenk and glovebox methods, including calculating reagent amounts and monitoring reaction progress.
• Purify synthesized molecules using techniques including distillation, column chromatography, and crystallization.
• Identify and characterize synthetic products using advanced instrumentation including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), UV-visible spectroscopy and other techniques.
• Execute routine troubleshooting of commonly used instrumentation in the laboratory by interfacing with laboratory management staff and/or service representatives.
• Spectroscopic Data Analysis
• Analyze and process spectroscopic data to generate plots and figures.
• Writing Support
• Conduct searches of the scientific literature and summarize findings at the request of the supervisor.
• Prepare supporting figures, data, and references for grants or scientific manuscripts drafted by the supervisor.
• Laboratory Support
• Maintain lab in a general state of cleanliness and order.
• Maintain lab equipment.
• Keep a working inventory of routinely used chemicals and consumables.
• Remediate Safety Issues
• Execute and report regular online laboratory safety inspections via the university portal.
• Remedy minor safety code infractions within the laboratory.
• Write Standard Operating Procedure Protocol Documents
• To train new students to execute routine laboratory procedures safely and reproducibly.
• Coordinate Hazardous Waste Pickup
• Coordinate with laboratory staff for routine pickup of waste.

Provides Work Direction

• Ensures that undergraduate student researchers maintain a safe laboratory environment and adhere to standard laboratory procedures.
• Assists with training of undergraduate student researchers in standard laboratory practices and procedures.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of the following: working safely in a chemical laboratory, principles of chemical reactivity, stoichiometry, chemical synthesis, spectroscopic analysis of molecules (organic/inorganic/organometallic).
• Safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Molecular synthesis.
• Purification of synthesized molecules.
• Spectroscopic data acquisition and analysis.
• Use of routine laboratory equipment, including but not limited to: balances, rotary evaporators, vacuum pumps, and hot plates.
• Searching and critical reading of the scientific literature.
• Basic scientific writing.

Physical Demands

• Considerable time is spent doing hands-on work at a laboratory bench or fume hood.
• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
• May be required to attend conferences and/or training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.