Lab Assistant 3

Payroll Title: LAB AST 3 (009602)

Job Code: 009602

Job Open Date: 10/31/25

Application Review Begins: 11/17/25

Department Code (Name): MCDB (MOLECULAR BIOLOGY)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): TX - Technical Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $27.91 - $29.82/hr. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $26.79 - $31.89/hr.

Work Location: Life Science Building, 1115

Working Days and Hours: Mon-Fri; variable within 7AM-11PM

Benefits Eligibility: Full

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: N/A

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Department of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology is a highly interactive community whose research activities bridge the broad spectrum of modern biology. Members of the MCDB community strive to apply both experimental and theoretical approaches to illuminating the fundamental mechanisms through which biological molecules, molecular assemblies, cellular constituents, and collectives of cells dynamically drive living processes throughout the microbial, plant and animal kingdoms. The department is characterized by a collaborative and collegial environment in which students, postdocs, staff, and faculty bring their collective talents and enthusiasm to the joy of scientific adventure and discovery.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Lab Assistant 3 in the Richardson lab, is involved in work regarding using gene editing reagents such as CRISPR/Cas9 to understand DNA repair mechanisms in human cells. Takes a lead role on ongoing experiments, including defining the role of FANCD2 in DNA repair. Responsible for independent preparation and execution of lab experiments but will naturally extend to related tasks such as ordering and stocking reagents, record keeping, and lab organization. Responsible for training and orientation of new members of the lab. Lab Assistant duties encompass coordinating lab activities and experiments, including assisting in the planning and execution of research projects involving cloning and flow cytometry techniques. The research assistant will be responsible for procuring necessary supplies and equipment inventory. Computer work will involve generating record-keeping, and maintaining lab databases related to cloning and flow cytometry experiments. The Lab Assistant 3 may also provide occasional assistance in research activities and data analysis related to ongoing projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in biological or chemical science and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years Experience in routing molecular biology/cell biology techniques (DNA gels, western blots, etc.)
• 1-3 years Experience with cloning (PCR, bacterial culture, minipreps, Sanger sequencing, etc).
• 1-3 years Experience with human cell culture, flow cytometry, lab organization and inventory management experience.
• Scientific knowledge of various biochemical, genetic, and stem cell biology processes.
• Knowledge and familiarity with human cell culture techniques as well as flow cytometry.
• Strong organizational skills working in a molecular or cellular biology lab.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree with course work in biological or chemical sciences, or equivalent

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Flexibility in work hours may be required, including weekends and evenings, to address specific needs related to lab maintenance, cloning, and flow cytometry processes.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

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 allegation 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 60% Technical - Independently prepares and stocks bacterial strains and reagents, performs basic mammalian cell culture tasks, manages CRISPR/Cas9 reagents to make novel human cell lines. Leads performing basic bench biochemistry and molecular biology (gels, western blotting, PCR). Perform assays for analysis of DNA repair outcomes, such as flow cytometry and ChIP-seq., works with minimal guidance handling lab projects related to DNA repair.
• 20% Administrative - Diligently maintains inventories and collections, takes charge of lab orderings of reagents and supplies, independently collects and manages equipment/reagent quotes. Maintains general lab organization and supervises the duties of new lab members. Takes lead role in lab meetings, journal clubs, and other lab events, and key contributor to ongoing collaborations.
• 20% Personnel - Oversees lab members: trains and orients new lab members including undergraduate researchers on mastered techniques, such as tissue culture, molecular cloning, flow cytometry, and ChIP-seq. Takes lead on coordinating the physical preparation of the lab with students.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

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.

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