Laboratory Assistant (SRA 1)

Work as part of a research team under the direction of the PI studying the population genomics of mosquito vectors, including Anopheles coluzzii, a principal vector of human malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory management and administrative responsibilities such as safety training, ordering supplies, equipment maintenance, regulatory compliance, and supervising student employees.
• Serve as a bridge between field and laboratory teams, coordinating sample and data collection efforts, receiving and organizing samples, uploading data into databases, and managing sample storage.
• Molecular laboratory work, including:
  • DNA extraction (manual and automated)
  • qPCR
  • MassARRAY assays
  • Sanger amplicon sequencing
  • NGS library preparation
  • DNA quantification (Qubit)
  • Sample/library quality control (TapeStation)
• Travel to field sites in west Africa for up to 6 weeks at a time to:
  • Train field team members in data collection
  • Assist with Anopheles mosquito sampling, processing, and extraction
  • Assist with laboratory setup

Time allocation: 45% Laboratory Management, 45% Applied Research, 10% Training.

Requirements

• Experience working in a molecular biology or genetics research laboratory, preferably in a university setting.
• Experience performing routine molecular techniques including at least four of the following: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, qPCR, genotyping, or sequencing.
• Experience with laboratory operations including ordering supplies, inventory management, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance.
• Experience working with biological samples and maintaining organized records or databases.
• Availability and skills to participate as part of a team in physically demanding fieldwork in equatorial Africa (islands in the Gulf of Guinea, west Africa).
• Demonstrated ability to follow established protocols, maintain accurate, detailed records, and develop clear documentation/SOPs for newly developed laboratory or database practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work with others in a collegial environment and coordinate efforts of field and lab teams.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• No minimum education required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in entomology, vector biology, or related sciences.
• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences with coursework in genetics, mathematics, and statistics.
• Experience conducting fieldwork or working in international research settings, particularly in vector biology or entomology.
• Experience working with SQL or other database management systems for data entry, curation, and retrieval.
• Experience supervising or training students or junior staff in a laboratory setting.

Pay

$30.12 - $35.93 per hour.

Schedule

• Full-time (100%)
• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Occasional holidays and weekends
• Travel to field sites in tropical Africa for up to 6 weeks at a time

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 with 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

• 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)
• Work at field sites in tropical Africa
• Work in areas where hazardous materials and potential infectious disease agents (malaria parasite from field-collected mosquitoes) are present
• Work in open cubicle areas where noise from others is present

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)

This is a critical position; employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check, which may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment. The position involves direct access to or responsibility for controlled substances, high-risk hazardous chemicals, biological or radioactive/nuclear materials.