Junior​/Assistant Specialist - Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology - School of Public Health

The Wolf Lab in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology within the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley seeks a Junior or Assistant Specialist to support research in gut microbiome biology. The mammalian gut microbiota is a complex microbial community shaped by diet, microbial interactions, and host factors. The Wolf Lab investigates the assembly and function of the gut microbiota using in vivo gnotobiotic mouse models and in vitro anaerobic culture systems.

The Specialist will assist with ongoing research project efforts and work collaboratively with faculty, PhD students, and other laboratory trainees.

Under general supervision, the Specialist will support laboratory research activities by assisting with gnotobiotic animal husbandry and microbial culturing. The successful candidate will be a motivated biologist with the ability to learn new experimental techniques and develop troubleshooting skills through ongoing training.

Primary responsibilities include daily care and support of research animals housed in a germ‑free (gnotobiotic) facility. Duties may include maintenance of flexible film isolators and supply cylinders, colony management, cage cleaning and sanitation, routine animal observation, and collection of experimental samples, all in accordance with approved animal care protocols and institutional guidelines.

The position also includes bacterial culturing and the careful organization and maintenance of laboratory stocks. The Specialist will perform standard molecular biology techniques including DNA isolation, PCR, and sequencing library preparation, in accordance with established protocols.

Additional responsibilities include purchasing laboratory equipment and reagents, maintaining inventories, and supporting general laboratory operations. All duties are performed in compliance with University policies and are structured to support skill development and continued research training.