Lab Assistant 4 (9601C), Berkeley Public Health - #74460

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Departmental Overview

Berkeley Public Health (BPH) aims to improve population health, especially for the most vulnerable, through interdisciplinary collaborations, preeminent education, and transformational research. Established in 1943, BPH is a professional school on the UC Berkeley campus that comprises six academic divisions and nearly 30 research centers and programs. Our department's values include social justice, health as a right, challenging conventional thought, embracing diversity, and creating meaningful impact. We honor our principles of community by centering and valuing everyone in our community; prioritizing prevention while remaining grounded in social justice; promoting safety and respect; practicing self-care and kindness; and remaining optimistic, hopeful, and committed to change. Learn more at: publichealth.berkeley.edu.

This position is for the School of Public Health, at Dr. Eva Harris's laboratory.

A Laboratory Assistant position is available in the Harris laboratory, which works on the virology, immunology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of dengue and Zika. Dengue virus is a major public health problem worldwide caused by a mosquito-borne RNA flavivirus. Zika is an emerging virus in the Americas with severe neurological sequelae in newborns. Clinical and epidemiological studies are conducted in collaboration with scientists in Nicaragua as long-term partners in a region endemic for Arbovirus. The main purpose of the position is to assist the administrative part of scientific projects in the laboratory at UC Berkeley at various levels and support the research projects under close supervision of the project manager and the PI. This position also includes performing organizational and operational duties including logistics of supplies for field studies, particularly focused on the collaboration with Nicaragua, and performing laboratory work directed to produce reagents to support different research projects.

The position has a range of technical functions that requires working in coordination with other laboratory members and has impact in the scientific progress of funded studies. This position includes managing and organizing daily lab activities and collaborations, procure the proper functioning of equipment, and supporting administrative work. This position also includes the support of researchers in the production and characterizations of different reagents, such as antibodies and antigens, to conduct our human immunological studies.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: December 2, 2024

Responsibilities

• Coordinate laboratory management, including updating Sample Management systems inventory every two months when faculty return from Nicaragua with biological specimens.
• Scan the barcode of plasma and serum samples (quantity varies from 10 to 300 samples).
• Coordinate the purchase of all UC Berkeley (UCB) laboratory supplies throughout the year using the Bearbuy system, with the help of students (approximately 50 purchases per month or as needed).
• Receive, allocate, and organize all reagents and supplies received for the laboratory at UCB.
• Perform weekly maintenance checks on equipment, including ensuring the proper functioning of the water distillation system.
• Update the chemical inventory and prepare the list for weekly chores.
• Perform waste disposal and autoclaving as needed, clean the tissue culture room, and refill 70% ethanol bottles weekly.
• Prepare the lab for Environmental Health Sciences (EH&S) inspections.
• Oversee the work of work-study students who support administrative work and sample management.

Coordination of Communication with Collaborations Abroad

• Coordinate with members of the Sustainable Sciences Institute (SSI) to purchase reagents for Nicaragua for annual sampling and additional requests for reagents and supplies.
• Receive and prepare pallets (3-6 per year) for shipment to Nicaragua.
• Prepare reagents requiring cold or frozen transport for faculty traveling to Nicaragua every two months.
• Prepare documents and permits for the transportation of materials.
• Maintain communication with the field site in Nicaragua, verifying materials arrive in good condition and coordinating the shipment of supplies to different field sites and samples to collaborators across the USA.
• Maintain communication with collaborators and send samples as needed.
• Maintain the UCB serum, plasma, and PBMCs sample repository, updating the database with new samples every two months.

Coordinate and Manage BSL2 Work

• Maintain Vero cells and cell lines in culture.
• Prepare dengue virus amplification for the four dengue serotypes as needed for experiments (approximately 6 preparations per year).

Protein Expression and Purification

• Conduct experiments to express dengue and zika proteins (E monomer, E dimer, Monomer FL mutation, pr, and NS1) in the heterologous expi293 cell system.
• Collect up to 1 liter of supernatant per protein preparation.
• Centrifuge to remove cells, filter the supernatant, and pass it through affinity columns.
• Prepare binding buffer (1 liter) and washing buffer (1 liter) for protein purification using the FPLC system.
• Analyze and QC purified proteins using SDS-PAGE and western blot.
• Analyze protein reactivity to dengue antibodies in serum or plasma using ELISA and the Luminex platform.
• Participate in workshops, training, and other professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Self-motivated, energetic, and able to work in a diverse team environment.
• Willing to develop and apply administrative skills.
• Willing to follow instructions carefully.
• Attention to detail.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Spanish.
• Computer and database management skills.
• Knowledge of basic Biosafety regulations.
• Experience working in a BSL2 biological laboratory.
• Experience handling valuable patient serum samples.
• Protein expression and purification experience.

Education/Training:

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and five years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and four years of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
• Will require training through EH&S for BSL2 work and in shipping of dry ice and biological materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills.
• Interest in working in a fast-paced environment.
• BS or BA in biological sciences or related.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1 ($29.65/hr) - Step 4 ($34.01/hr). This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.

• This is a full-time, Career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is eligible for up to 5% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Technical Unit (TX) 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/tx/index.html

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

This is not a visa opportunity.

Equal Employment Opportunity
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, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.