Lab Specialist Zebrafish, Microbiology, Circadian Biology

Position: Lab Specialist - (Zebrafish, Microbiology, Circadian Biology)
Position overview Position title: Lab Specialist
-Zebrafish, Microbiology, Circadian Biology (Jr. Specialist
- Specialist ranks) Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience (see section D. Qualifications of the CAPM 602.230 Specialist Series. The UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  the scale titled, X. A salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

A reasonable estimate for this position is $53,100 - $90,000. Percent time: Full-time (100%) Anticipated start: As soon as June 15, 2025, but no later than September 30, 2025. The degree must be in hand for employment effective June 15, 2025 and beyond. Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment;

a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding. Application Window

Open date: May 12, 2025

Most recent review date: Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, May 12, 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.

Position description

Assistant Professor Jacqueline Kimmey in the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a laboratory specialist.

Under the direction of Professor Kimmey, the selected candidate will assist with research projects focused on understanding the interactions between circadian rhythms, innate immunity, and bacterial pathogenesis. A major job duty will include work in the zebrafish facility at UCSC (monitoring water quality, feeding, overseeing breeding, raising larvae) - thus applicants must be willing to work with live zebrafish.

The specialist may also be required to perform lab management duties, such as ordering supplies, making buffers and reagents, and ensuring compliance with lab policies and biosafety (EHS) regulations. The candidate will be expected to perform basic wet lab experiments such as tissue culture, plasmid purification, bacterial transformation, and may include animal studies in mice or zebrafish. The position will require the incumbent to successfully follow both verbal and written directions, keep organized records, and respectfully communicate and collaborate with the lab's team of students, faculty, and staff.

The selected candidate's appointed rank (i.e. junior specialist, assistant specialist, associate specialist, or specialist) salary, research activities, and the level of independence they must perform will be contingent on the candidate's earned degree and prior experience. See CAPM 603.300 Specialist Series, section

D. Qualifications for each rank's required qualifications.

Applicants with one or more of the following preferred areas of expertise are strongly encouraged to apply: research experience with circadian biology, cell signaling, innate immunity, murine or zebrafish models, bacterial or eukaryotic genetics.

Notice: Although all individuals can safely work in the lab, this lab utilizes pathogenic bacteria which pose an increased risk to immunocompromised individuals.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Kimmey Lab:

Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)

• Baccalaureate degree or higher (or foreign equivalent degree) in biology/biological sciences, biomedical sciences molecular biology, cell/cellular and molecular biology, immunology, molecular genetics, or a related field. Please see CAPM 603.300 Specialist Series, section
  
  D. Qualifications for the required qualifications for the ranks higher than the junior specialist rank. It is anticipated that the degree requirements will be completed no later than June 30, 2025.
• Demonstrated experience with molecular biology "wet lab" techniques, such as: nucleic acid isolation, PCR, cell culture, bacterial culture and quantification techniques, western blotting, flow cytometry and / or microscopy.

Application Requirements Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications with DOI links or URLs of PDFs (if any).

• Cover Letter - Please describe relevant background, research experience and interest in this position.
  
  Applicants with substantial research experience may opt to include a separate statement of research - in this case, it is not necessary to repeat those details in the cover letter.

• Statement of Research - Optional (but strongly recommended for applicants with a graduate degree). If included, please describe your…