Research Support Associate

Job Summary

The Research Support Associate supports day-to-day laboratory operations and active research projects at the Teodorescu and Mostajo‑Radji Labs at the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute. The incumbent’s work supports the Lab’s interdisciplinary research, including the development of mouse and human iPSC‑derived brain organoid and assembloid models combined with high‑density multielectrode array electrophysiology, single‑cell genomics, bioengineering, and machine learning tools to study neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Budgeted Salary: $32.91 – $36.38/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full‑time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week:
  Mon–Fri
• Shift Includes:
  Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: RX Union

Job Code Classification: 009617 (SRA 2 NEX)

Travel: Never or Rarely

50% - Laboratory Operations

• Maintains organized and well‑stocked laboratory spaces, including reagent inventory, supply ordering, and equipment maintenance.
• Prepares reagents, buffers, and consumable stocks.
• Coordinates with vendors and institutional cores to ensure timely procurement of materials.
• Supports compliance with biosafety protocols and institutional regulations.
• Assists with onboarding new lab members and maintaining up‑to‑date protocols and SOPs.

50% - Research Support

• Cultures, maintains, and differentiates mouse and human iPSC lines into cortical organoids and assembloid systems.
• Assists with electrophysiology experiments using high‑density multielectrode array platforms.
• Performs standard molecular and cellular biology techniques including immunohistochemistry, tissue processing and cryosectioning, PCR, RT‑qPCR.
• Assists with sample preparation for single‑cell RNA sequencing and other genomics workflows.
• Maintains detailed and accurate records of all experiments and contributes to data organization and quality control.
• Participates in lab meetings and contributes to manuscript preparation, grant reports, and research presentations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Biochemistry or a related field and/or equivalent experience.
• Hands‑on experience with mammalian tissue culture, including routine passaging, quality control, and cryopreservation.
• Proficiency in cellular and molecular biology techniques including immunohistochemistry and tissue processing.
• Experience with mouse or human iPSC culture, differentiation, and characterization.

• Master’s degree in biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Familiarity with brain organoid or assembloid culture systems.
• Prior laboratory management experience, including supply ordering, equipment maintenance, and SOP development.
• Experience with PCR and RT‑qPCR.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in maintaining laboratory records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, multi‑disciplinary team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and ethical laboratory environment.

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre‑employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the…