Molecular & Protein Technician (9611C), Molecular & Cell Biology - #69951 Job Listing at University of California in Berkeley, CA (Job ID 69951)

Description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The teaching and research activities of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) concern the molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms. The types of living organisms from which the departmental faculty draws its working materials range from viruses and microbes through plants, roundworms, annelids, arthropods, and mollusks to fish, amphibia, and mammals.

The Isacoff Lab's research is focused in four intersecting and complementary areas: mechanisms of ion channel function, synapse development and plasticity, neural circuit function, and the design of novel probes for the optical detection of neuronal signaling.

The individual hired to fill this position be an essential resource for lab members. Provides leadership and support in high level molecular biology, including in dealing with difficult sequences; assigned target constructs and develops cloning plans, execute it, then sequence and analyze the products, troubleshoot as necessary. Trains and provides advice and troubleshooting expertise to lab members doing their own molecular cloning work. 

Provides leadership and support for membrane protein purification and reconstitution projects. Responsible for expressing target constructs they generate in cells (including human cells, insect cells, yeast, and bacteria). Conducts purification of target proteins and reconstitution of targets into lipid nanodiscs or liposomes for downstream biophysical and structural characterization.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: Monday, July 1, 2024

Responsibilities

The SRA conducts molecular and protein biology in support of our neurobiology research program, examining synapse structure/function as well as ion channels, transporters and their regulatory complexes that form gated pathways for ionic traffic across cell membranes.

Molecular Biology: 

• Designing and building constructs requested by others.
•  Will be responsible for determining appropriate vector, method of assembly, and designing any needed primers. 
• DNA mini preps, sub-cloning, PCR, mutagenesis, horizontal electrophoresis, in vitro transcription, sequence analysis using standard software packages, trouble shooting for self and others, transfections.
• Designing both constructs and cloning plans. 
• Advanced cloning and expression skills with expertise in working with difficult constructs.

Tissue Culture:

• Transfection of standard cell lines
• Isolation of primary cells

Protein Biology: 

• Transformation/transfection, Protein purification using affinity matrices and size exclusion chromatography, Reconstitution of purified membrane proteins into lipid nanodiscs or liposomes for downstream biophysical or structural characterization, microscopy western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and/or in situ assays, cryo-em.

Protein Characterization:

• Reconstitution of purified membrane proteins into lipid nanodiscs or liposomes for further analysis
• Advanced microscopy (confocal, 2photon), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and/or in situ assays, or cryo-EM
• Transformation/transfection/infection 
• May include bacteria, yeast, insect cells, immortalized human cells, or primary cells
• Conducts purification of target proteins and reconstitution of targets into lipid nanodiscs or liposomes for downstream biophysical and structural characterization.

Protein Purification:

• May include affinity matrices and size exclusion chromatography

Other duties as required:

• May include training of and trouble-shooting with other lab members

Required Qualifications 

• Advanced molecular biology skills, including DNA mini-preps, electrophoresis, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, Gibson assembly and construct design
• Strong trouble-shooting skills essential for working with difficult and large constructs as well as high recombination vectors
• Protein purification (e.g. affinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography) and/or protein biochemistry (e.g. functional assays, SDS-PAGE) experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills essential in large lab environment, particularly when providing training and  troubleshooting support
• Advanced microscopy skills

Preferred Qualifications 

• Working knowledge of sequence analysis software (such as Omiga, Vector NTi, Benchling, SnapGene) an asset
• Experience with tissue culture and sterile technique (large scale growth or primary cell isolation are assets)
• Experience in membrane protein biochemistry or purification

Education/Training:

• BS in biology or related science and at least 5 years of molecular biology or protein experience

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 that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $64,496.38 - $85,076.20. This is an exempt position, paid monthly.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), Career position. 
• This position is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This is an on-site position at University of California, Berkeley.
• 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 

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

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.

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.