Research Assistant II - Laboratory of Dr. Wolfgang Busch

The Research Assistant II will serve a critical operational role in supporting Institute Plant Biology and Harnessing Plants Initiative activities, with primary responsibility for the organization, coordination, and efficient functioning of laboratory, growth space, and greenhouse operations. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the transition of the greenhouse from Encinitas and the external laboratory at Salk North to La Jolla at the Salk Institute main campus.

The Research Assistant II will work closely with scientists, team leaders, and the Principal Investigator to ensure that shared laboratory and greenhouse spaces, storage areas, and equipment are organized, functional, and used efficiently. This role will have defined responsibility for establishing, implementing, and monitoring operational guidelines for shared spaces and equipment, and for promoting accountability across laboratory and departmental users.

In addition to operational responsibilities, the Research Assistant II will support research activities, including plant growth, experimental execution, data collection, phenotyping, and analysis across a range of plant species. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to balance day to day operational needs with research support in a collaborative scientific environment.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Provide operational support for laboratory, growth space, and greenhouse activities, ensuring spaces and equipment are organized, functional, and efficiently used
• Support the transition and consolidation of greenhouse and external laboratory operations to the Salk Institute main campus
• Organize, maintain, and oversee storage areas, common laboratory spaces, growth spaces, and greenhouse facilities
• Organize, track, and maintain shared laboratory and greenhouse equipment, including basic oversight of proper use, cleanliness, accessibility, and scheduling where applicable
• Establish, document, and help implement guidelines for shared space and equipment use in coordination with scientists and the Principal Investigator
• Work with laboratory members to improve efficiency, standardization, and accountability in the use of shared resources
• Perform duties to support experiments on a variety of plant species, including planting, growth, maintenance, and harvest
• Grow plants from seed and provide routine plant care, including watering, fertilization, weeding, and harvesting
• Assist in harvesting and preparing plant tissue for downstream analyses
• Support seed stock organization, tracking, and storage
• Participate in experiments, including maintaining experimental processes, data collection, data input, data analysis, and adherence to protocols
• Assist with ordering supplies, inventory management, and general laboratory organization
• Accurately follow written and verbal instructions and protocols
• Make and document detailed observations and exercise sound judgement in task execution
• Communicate effectively with staff at all levels and across teams
• Work independently while coordinating closely with others in a shared research environment
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management

What we Require

• Minimum 2 years' experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 4 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office
• Other skills (preferred): Fundamental skills in molecular biology and plant and or/fungal biology

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $21.15 to $25.00 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.