Junior Specialist ​/ Assistant Specialist - Chemical and Biomolecular

Junior Specialist / Assistant Specialist
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- College of Chemistry Position overview

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  the following table for the current salary scale(s) for this position:
Specialist Salary Scales. A reasonable full time salary estimate for this position is $57,000 - $65,800.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start:
Fall 2026

Position duration: 1 year with possibility of reappointment

Open date:
July 29, 2026

Next review date:
Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Sunday, Aug 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The employee will join the Shiyu Xia Lab at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley and participate in research projects focused on molecular cloning, protein expression in bacterial and mammalian cells, protein purification using affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography, protein structural determination using electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography and determining the molecular structures of proteins to understand their biological mechanisms,

• Conduct molecular cloning, plasmid construction, and DNA assembly using PCR, Gibson assembly, restriction enzyme cloning, bacterial transformation, and sequence verification.
• Perform recombinant protein expression in Escherichia coli and mammalian cell lines through bacterial culture, transient transfection, and stable cell line generation.
• Purify proteins using affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography (FPLC), followed by biochemical characterization using SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and analytical chromatography.
• Perform structural biology experiments, including protein crystallization, X-ray crystallography, negative-stain electron microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation, image acquisition, and structural data analysis.
• Conduct mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and quantitative cellular assays to investigate protein function and signaling pathways.
• Design, execute, and analyze biochemical and biophysical assays to characterize protein-protein interactions, enzyme activity, and biomolecular assemblies.
• Analyze experimental data using appropriate computational and statistical methods, maintain detailed laboratory records, assist with laboratory organization and safety compliance, and contribute to manuscript preparation and presentation of research findings.

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree)

• Prior research experience in one or more of the following areas: molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, protein engineering, synthetic biology, or bioengineering.
• Experience with standard laboratory techniques, including molecular cloning, protein purification, mammalian cell culture, microscopy, or related experimental methods.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Job location

Berkeley, CA

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