Staff Research Associate 1 (9612C), Keasling Laboratory #89096

About the role

At the University of California, Berkeley, we foster a welcoming community built on openness, freedom, and belonging. Employees receive at least 80 hours of paid professional development time each year and can join numerous employee resource groups. The Keasling Laboratory in JBEI focuses on producing advanced biofuels and bioproducts using polyketide synthases (PKSs) and non‑ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs) to replace petroleum‑derived chemicals. The Staff Research Associate 1 will join a team engineering bacteria to produce various chemicals, with emphasis on high‑throughput cloning, strain construction, and analyzing target molecule production. First review date: October 12, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Strain Construction and Development - 25%: Build plasmids and strains to support project goals.
• DNA Design and Planning - 15%: Assist in designing DNA builds and strains to meet project objectives.
• Laboratory Operations and Support - 15%: Support bioreactor work, separations, analytics, liquid handlers, etc., to achieve milestones.
• Project Presentation - 10%: Attend weekly project meetings to present progress.
• Project Coordination - 5%: Attend additional project‑specific and sub‑group meetings.
• Data Management - 10%: Use the project’s electronic lab notebook to track DNA builds, strains, and data.
• Laboratory Maintenance - 15%: Keep a clean lab bench and personal workspace.
• Laboratory Citizenship - 5%: Complete assigned laboratory citizen duties.

Requirements

• One year minimum of research experience.
• Ability to work independently in the lab.
• Experience in manipulating DNA, transforming bacteria, and culturing bacteria.
• Familiarity with analytical equipment (LC/MS, HPLC, GC, ect).
• Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, or related fields and/or equivalent experience/training.

Qualifications

• Experience using and/or ability to learn software to design DNA constructs and analyze DNA sequences.
• Comfortable with using molecular bio inventory and data management systems.

Skills

• DNA manipulation
• Bacterial transformation and culture
• Analytical equipment operation (LC/MS, HPLC, GC)
• Software for DNA construct design and sequence analysis
• Molecular bio inventory and data management systems

Benefits

• At least 80 hours of paid professional development time per year for full‑time staff.
• Access to employee resource groups and supportive colleague communities.
• Eligibility for UC benefits (health, retirement, etc.) as a limited‑term position.

Pay

Budgeted hourly pay: $30.12 (Step 1). Non‑exempt, bi‑weekly paid position.

Schedule

Full‑time, 40 hours per week. Limited‑term appointment for 18 months.