Lab Assistant 2 (9603C) - Bioengineering

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The Department of Bioengineering at The University of California, Berkeley, was founded in 1998, following on the success of the joint UC Berkeley - UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, established in 1983. The department serves as the administrative home for our Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Engineering (MEng) degrees, as well as the UC Berkeley administrative home of the joint Master of Translational Medicine (MTM) and PhD programs with UCSF.

The Guthrie Lab is seeking a Lab Manager/ Animal Care Assistant to oversee the maintenance of a gnotobiotic mouse facility and provide comprehensive lab management and research support.

This position involves a combination of animal husbandry, equipment maintenance, facility oversight, and administrative responsibilities. The role requires excellent organizational skills, the ability to anticipate and resolve potential issues, and meticulous record-keeping. Opportunities to contribute to research publications, present at lab meetings, and participate in career development activities are available.

The First Review Date for this job is: March 14, 2025 - Open Until Filled

50% Animal Husbandry

• Oversee and maintain gnotobiotic mouse colonies, including breeding, feeding, and health checks.
• Document and track animal census, new litters, and movement between cages and isolators.
• Ensure the accuracy of an electronic database for record-keeping.

25% Equipment and Facility Maintenance

• Build, modify, and sterilize gnotobiotic isolators and other equipment.
• Clean and maintain equipment and facilities to meet sterility and operational standards.
• Schedule and coordinate inspections, repairs, and warranty management for laboratory equipment.
• Develop and update standard operating protocols (SOPs).
• Train lab members on equipment use and sterilization procedures.

15% Lab Administration and Research Group Support

• Manage lab resources, including maintaining email lists, shared folders, and lab space maps.
• Assist with onboarding and offboarding lab members.
• Serve as the point of contact between researchers, building managers, and external stakeholders.
• Organize and oversee laboratory clean-ups.

10% Communication and Coordination

• Ensure timely communication of incidents among researchers.
• Maintain relationships with building management, department EH&S officers, and sales representatives.
• Manage lab email listservs and Slack channels for effective communication.

• Some knowledge of basic mouse husbandry is required.
• Knowledge of basic mouse husbandry.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Strong organizational and scheduling skills.
• Basic mechanical skills for equipment assembly and maintenance.
• Understanding of sterilization principles.

• 2-4-year degree in a biological science discipline.
• 1-2 years of laboratory research experience and/or ALAT certification.
• Experience with gnotobiotic systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

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

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.