Staff Research Associate II (9612C), Molecular & Cell Biology

Company: Society for Conservation Biology
Location: Berkeley
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Staff Research Associate II (9612C), Molecular & Cell Biology Staff Research Associate II (9612C), Molecular & Cell Biology
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB) is home to undergraduate and graduate academic programs as well as Faculty Research performed by faculty organized in five divisions:

• Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Genetics, Genomics and Development
• Immunology and Pathogenesis
  The teaching and research activities of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) concern the molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms. This agenda covers a broad range of specialized disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, structural biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology, tumor biology, microbiology, immunology, pathogenesis and neurobiology. The types of living organisms from which the departmental faculty draws its working materials are as diverse as its disciplinary specializations, ranging from viruses and microbes through plants, roundworms, annelids, arthropods, and mollusks to fish, amphibia, and mammals. The faculty of the department is organized into five divisions: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Cell and Developmental Biology; Genetics, Genomics and Development; Neurobiology; and Immunology and Pathogenesis.
  
  The Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) and Integrative Biology (IB) together are among the largest academic departments at UC Berkeley. By several measures (including number of faculty and students, budget, and assigned square feet), these departments are larger than many UCB colleges and schools. The two departments represent over 186 faculty FTE (including Adjuncts, Professors of the Graduate School, active emeriti and 15 HHMI professors); 150 postdocs and other research positions; 375 graduate students; 80 department staff members; and 8 recharge centers. Financial resources include approximately $51M in annual extramural funding (which accounts for over half of the total sponsored research awards in the College of Letters & Science) and over $46M other fund sources. The department has 1,800 declared undergraduate majors (the largest majors on the Berkeley campus) and a total annual enrollment in classes of -20,000. Department personnel are currently housed in seven buildings located in three widely separated parts of the campus
  
  Application Review Date
  
  The First Review Date for this job is: December 23, 2022
  
  Responsibilities
  
  PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION:
  
  • Experiments will be performed to prepare protein extracts from bacteria, insect and human tissue culture cells for the purpose of purifying recombinant proteins using affinity and conventional chromatography on GE AKTA systems.
  • The candidate will use and maintain three different GE AKTA column chromatography systems.
  • The candidate will grow and harvest bacteria, insect and human cells for preparation of cell-free extracts from which proteins will be purified.
    EXPRESSION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEINS IN BACTERIA, INSECT and HUMAN CELLS:
    
    • Perform experiments that involve transformation on plasmid DNAs into bacteria, the growth of large-scale bacterial cultures to express and purify recombinant proteins.
    • Harvest and freeze cells.
    • Perform experiments that involve transfection of plasmid DNAs, grow large scale insect and human suspension cell cultures to express recombinant proteins.
    • Cell fractionation and isolation of nuclei.
      MOLECULAR BIOLOGY:
      
      • Standard cloning of DNA fragments in plasmid vectors, preparation of DNA from bacteria and DNA/RNA from human cells.
        TRANSFECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF INSECT AND HUMAN CELL LINES:
        
        • Perform experiments that involve transfection of plasmid DNA into insect and human cell lines.
        • Freeze and thaw new cell stocks.
        • Maintain inventory of cell stocks in liquid nitrogen storage.
        • Other duties as assigned.Required Qualifications
          • Strong interpersonal skills and motivation to work with others in a highly cooperative team.
          • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
          • Excellent attention to detail, efficiency and accuracy.
          • Excellent organizational and record-keeping abilities.
          • Willingness to learn new techniques and skills.
            Education/Training:
            
            • Bachelor's degree in biochemistry/molecular biology or related field with at least one year of research experience.
            • Laboratory experience and/or working knowledge and/or ability to learn of laboratory equipment and research protocols.Preferred Qualifications
              • Additional knowledge of biochemistry and protein purification is a plus.Salary & Benefits
                • This is a full-time (40 hours/week), Career position and eligible for full UC benefits.
                • The annual salary is commensurate with experience up to $73,128.37, Step 14.0.
                • For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.htmlHow to Apply
                  Please submit your cover letter and resume when applying.
                  
                  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
                  
                  The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant see:
                  
                  https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf
                  For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:
                  http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Keywords: Society for Conservation Biology, Berkeley , Staff Research Associate II (9612C), Molecular & Cell Biology, Other , Berkeley, California