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

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

The focus of the work of the Keasling Laboratory in JBEI is to produce advanced biofuels and bioproducts using polyketide synthases (PKSs). PKSs are responsible for synthesis of countless natural products that have found use as human therapeutics (e.g., antibiotics, anticancer, etc.). PKSs and their relatives, the non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs), have incredible chemical flexibility. What is more, the sequence of the subunits in the PKS/NRPS can be directly mapped onto the resulting chemical that they procure, and parts of PKSs and NRPSs can be recombined into unnatural enzymes that will produce different (unnatural) chemicals. The Keasling Lab in JBEI is combining PKSs/NRPSs to replace products derived from petroleum (e.g., hydrocarbon fuels, polymers, specialty chemicals, etc.) as well as chemicals that could never be produced from petroleum using chemistry that is available today.

Position Summary

The Staff Research Associate 1 participates in a team of scientists and engineers who engineer a bacterium to produce a variety of chemicals. The work will involve high-throughput cloning, optimizing heterologous gene expression in the host bacterium, and analyzing the production of the desired molecules. The chosen individual will focus mainly on cloning and strain construction.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is October 12, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Strain Construction and Development - 25%

• The SRA 1 will primarily work on building plasmids and strains to assist in the achievement of the goals of the project.

DNA Design and Planning - 15%

• The SRA 1 will assist in the process of designing different DNA builds and strains to meet the project's goals.

Laboratory Operations and Support - 15%

• The SRA 1 will assist with other project tasks, such as work with bioreactors, separations, analytics, liquid handlers, etc. to help meet project milestones.

Project Presentation - 10%

• The SRA 1 will attend weekly project meetings to present their progress

Project Coordination - 5%

• The SRA 1 will attend additional project-specific meetings and sub-group meetings

Data Management - 10%

• The SRA 1 will need to utilize the project's electronic lab notebook system to keep track of DNA builds, strains, and data collection.

Laboratory Maintenance - 15%

• Maintain a clean lab bench and personal space.

Laboratory Citizenship - 5%

• Complete their assigned laboratory citizen job.

Required Qualifications

• 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).

Preferred 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.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, or related fields and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

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 hourly pay that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $30.12 (Step 1).

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is an 18-month, full-time (40 hours/week), Limited [temporary] position that is eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• 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 automatic conversion to career status, as provided in Section B.2. above, will not occur when: c. The funding for the position is "one time" funding, of eighteen (18) months or less.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 status under state or federal law.