Lab Manager , Kaufer Lab, Neuroscience of Resilience

About the Lab

The Kaufer lab is part of the Integrative Biology department and the Neuroscience Institute, and is studying how the brain responds to perturbations such as stress, traumatic brain injury, and aging, and the mechanisms underlying trajectories of resilience vs. vulnerability. The lab takes a multi‑systems approach incorporating molecular, biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral analyses in rat and mouse models. (see )

The Lab Manager works under the supervision of the PI to sustain administrative and research activities in the lab. This position supports ongoing experiments, performs record keeping, manages safety operations, coordinates communications with university units, and handles the onboarding of new lab members to contribute to the research projects being conducted in the lab.

• Oversee and ensure that daily lab operations run smoothly, including managing purchasing, ordering supplies and repairs, organizing and managing lab reagents.
• Work with the PI as needed to help with scheduling, fiscal and personnel management.
• Serve as Human Resources liaison, working with HR.
• Serve as Safety Coordinator.
• Manage work orders with other campus facilities for standard maintenance and repair work.
• Oversee computer technical needs and the purchase of new computer equipment and software, working with CSS‑IS&T.
• Manage and curate the cell line collection.
• Plan itinerary and other logistical needs for lab visitors.
• Enter purchases on the website and submit approvals.
• Ensure adequate levels of all supplies are available.
• For special purchases, obtain quotes and complete sole source justifications.

• Prepare and update Standard Operating Procedures and Biological Use Authorizations.
• Draft protocols and authorization paperwork.
• Provide safety training to new hires and when additional training of lab members is requested.
• Conduct a lab safety inspection once a year.
• Communicate with EH&S, ACUC, OLAC about hazardous issues, inspections, training, addition and removal of lab members, and help the PI with updating the RUA, BUA and AUP.
• Update SOPs and ensure everyone conducting relevant experiments has read and signed them.
• Report new and recurring hazards to lab members during lab meetings.

• Carry out independent scientific work addressing neural plasticity.
• Contribute to the drafting of manuscripts and generation of figures.
• Manage the lab's mouse colony, including isolation of genomic DNA and genotyping cells by PCR.
• Assist lab members with their experiments in molecular biology and animal work.
• Perform cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry, PCR, cell cultures and rodent surgeries and behavior, and make these available to lab members.

• Supervise work duties and ensure tasks are performed appropriately.
• Post hiring requests, interview, help select, and train staff.

• Experience with mouse handling, molecular biology, and behavior techniques, and knowledge of lab safety procedures.
• Leadership skills and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills that create and maintain excellent working relationships in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Broad understanding of equipment and technologies used in Neuroscience research.

• Previous experience managing multiple projects in a corporate or academic setting.
• Experience with mouse behavior testing.
• Strong understanding of mouse genetics.

• Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, biological sciences, or related field, and/or at least 2 years of extensive experience working in a biology research lab, and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Previous lab experience.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

• This is a non‑exempt, bi‑weekly paid position.
• This is a full‑time (40 hours per week) career…