Project Specialist in Molecular Biology

The Project Specialist will primarily be responsible for maintaining, testing, and conducting experiments for research instrumentation in the School of Natural Sciences. This includes performing standard technical procedures to support Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty researchers. It will also include the training and planning of experiments for student researchers. The Project Specialist will work closely with the Project Director/Principal Investigator to ensure the operation of research sequencing projects within the lab. The Project Specialist will oversee sequencing facility operations for a mid-sized academic program in the School of Natural Sciences.

Key Responsibilities

* Designs and conducts experiments for sequencing-related research and performs standard technical procedures, e.g., nucleic acid amplification, library preparation, target enrichment, and loading of sequencing-related equipment, as per assigned individual tasks and in support of Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty researchers.

* Designs and conducts experiments for molecular biology-related research and performs standard technical procedures, e.g., Polymerase Chain Reactions (end-point, quantitative, and real-time), gel electrophoresis, media preparation for molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology purposes, quantitative and qualitative assays, as per assigned individual tasks and in support of Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty researchers.

* Trains undergraduate and graduate students in various technical procedures related to sequencing, molecular biology, cell biology, and microbiology-related research.

* Participate in educational and outreach activities related to the project.

* Designs, evaluates, and maintains the technical databases for procedures, protocols, and standard operating procedures for the Project Director/Principal Investigator's laboratory.

* Maintains chemical inventory and biomaterial databases for the Project Director/Principal Investigator's laboratory.

* Oversees the maintenance and operational use of laboratory equipment (e.g., pipettes, centrifuges, sequencers, ultrasonicators, electrophoresis equipment, spectrophotometers, liquid handlers, microplate readers).

For Junior rank: bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a related field.

For Assistant and Associate ranks: master's degree from an accredited university in a related field.

Critical Knowledge and Skills

* Demonstrated professional knowledge and operational expertise within the designated area of program focus.

* Experimental planning, development, implementation, and leadership skills.

* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

* Effective communication skills to train and educate laboratory personnel.

* Demonstrated experience in writing and reviewing standard operating procedures, work instructions, and written communications to internal, cross-departmental, and external parties.

* Ability to determine informational needs, to collect and analyze information, and to devise and develop statistical analyses and reports.

* Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of individuals.

* Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.

Five (5) years of laboratory experience in biological sciences; or an equivalent combination of five years of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

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The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.