Lab Assistant (LAB AST 3)

Under general supervision, the Lab Assistant III provides advanced technical support to Dr. Yi Wang's research group in the Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering at UC Davis. The lab integrates metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and bioprocess engineering to produce biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials from underutilized, low-value feedstocks, and to develop biological solutions for agricultural, environmental, and human health.

About the role

In this full-time career role, the incumbent works with limited supervision, exercises sound technical judgment, and contributes to experimental design, data analysis, and documentation for reports and publications. The position supports multiple externally funded projects in the Wang lab spanning microbial fermentation, bioprocess development, and biomaterial production and characterization.

Responsibilities

• Designs and conducts experiments.
• Prepares microbial growth media and maintains microbial cultures.
• Operates and monitors fermentation equipment.
• Performs and interprets routine and advanced analyses (e.g., spectrophotometric measurements, HPLC, and related analytical/spectroscopic methods), including accurate quantitative data analysis and record-keeping.
• Produces and characterizes biomaterials from organic wastes.
• Coordinates supply orders and inventory.
• Maintains and calibrates laboratory equipment.
• Ensures compliance with laboratory safety protocols.
• Trains and mentors student researchers.

Responsibilities are distributed as follows: 60% research, 20% laboratory operations & analytical support, and 20% lab management, safety & training.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree in Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• One year of experience in a relevant laboratory or research environment.
• Knowledge of basic chemical and biological principles with a demonstrated ability to collect, record, and interpret experimental data accurately while maintaining organized lab records.
• Proficiency in operating standard laboratory instruments and applying aseptic technique and laboratory safety practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree in Biological/Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Two or more years of laboratory research experience involving fermentation/bioprocessing, biomaterial production and characterization, and operation of analytical instrumentation.
• Experience maintaining laboratory equipment, training junior personnel, and contributing to research publications or technical reports.
• Working knowledge of microbial growth and fermentation processes (aseptic technique, media preparation, anaerobic operation, basic analytical methods).
• Proficiency with analytical instrumentation (e.g., HPLC, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and spectroscopic methods such as NIR/Raman) and quantitative/statistical data analysis.
• Experience in biomaterial production and characterization from organic or low-value feedstocks.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively and train student researchers.

Pay

$28.97/hr. - $34.49/hr., bi-weekly.

Schedule

Full-time (100%), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Benefits

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for you and your family.
• UC-paid dental and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement plans, including pension and other retirement savings plans.
• Supplemental insurance: additional life, short/long-term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
• Pregnancy and parental leave, family & medical leave, adoption assistance, and pay for family care and bonding.
• Lactation support program and family care discounts and resources.
• Employee well-being resources and programming.
• On-site employee assistance program, including free mental health services.
• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• Continuing education allowance and staff education reimbursement program.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer and student loan debt counseling program.

Physical Demands

• Standing: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Walking: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Sitting: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Lifting/carrying 0-25 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Lifting/carrying 26-50 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Lifting/carrying over 50 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Pushing/pulling 0-25 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Pushing/pulling 26-50 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Pushing/pulling over 50 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Twisting: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders): Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Reaching overhead: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Occasional (up to 3 hours).

Environmental Demands

• Exposure to chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Loud noise levels: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours).
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Microwave/Radiation: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Extreme temperatures: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Uneven surfaces or elevations: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours).
• Complex problem solving/reasoning: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Ability to organize & prioritize: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours).
• Communication skills: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours).
• Numerical skills: Occasional (up to 3 hours).
• Constant interaction: Frequent (3 to 6 hours).
• Customer/Patient contact: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours).
• Multiple concurrent tasks: Occasional (up to 3 hours).