Junior/Assistant Specialist - Koskella Lab - Department of Integrative Biology

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution seeks a Junior Specialist/Assistant Specialist to contribute to groundbreaking research in plant-microbiome and plant-pathogen interactions. This role involves conducting experiments in a dynamic lab environment, focusing on the effects of phages on bacterial evolution. You will engage in both laboratory and fieldwork, ensuring the integrity of experiments while fostering innovative disease management strategies. If you are passionate about microbiology and eager to make a significant impact in ecological research, this position offers an exciting opportunity for growth and discovery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program is required.
• Familiarity with sterile technique and bacterial cultivation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with experiments on phage effects on bacterial evolution.
• Perform DNA extractions and PCR reactions.
• Conduct general lab maintenance tasks.

Skills

Microbiological experience

Sterile technique

Bacterial cultivation

Virus cultivation

Organizational abilities

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent international degree

Tools

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

Job description

Position overview
Position title:
Junior Specialist/ Assistant Specialist

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t24-b.pdf. The current base salary range for this position is $53,100 - $68,300. 'Off-scale salaries' which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time:
100%

Anticipated start:
May 15, 2025

Position duration:
One year with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding

Application Window

Open date: April 16, 2025

Most recent review date: Thursday, May 1, 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: Saturday, May 17, 2025 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

The Koskella lab in the department of Integrative Biology focuses primarily on how plant-microbiome, plant-pathogen, and bacteria-phage interactions occur, both as model systems for understanding fundamental principles in disease ecology and with the aim of leveraging these findings for design of novel disease management strategies. The lab integrates ecological and evolutionary thinking with cutting-edge microbiological and molecular approaches to gain insight to microbiome establishment and function, within-microbiome interactions, and the role that microbiota and phages play in shaping disease.

This position will assist with completion of a funded project to examine the effect of phages on bacterial evolution across a panel of plant pathogens, and how selection by phages might be leveraged to reduce disease burden. The Specialist will be based in the Koskella Lab and will lead a series of experiments in which phage particles are grown in varying bacterial community backgrounds (including TnSeq barcoded bacterial libraries) in order to determine how this ecological complexity impacts phage morphology (using microscopy), genomic evolution, and/or fitness on hosts. The researcher will work on bacteria and phages in the lab, but also do occasional sampling of phages in the field for screening of novel types and work in the greenhouse for in planta experiments.

Other responsibilities include:

Co-culturing bacteria and phages in a sterile setting, preparing phage cultures for electron microscopy, analyzing images, and running experiments to measure bacterial fitness.

Inoculating plants with plant pathogenic bacteria and/or phages and monitoring bacterial growth, phage replication, and disease symptoms.

Running DNA exractions, PCR reactions, and gel electrophoresis as well as the opportunity for expanded molecular work.

General lab maintenance tasks, such as autoclaving waste, filling pipette tip boxes, and making growth media.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program, or equivalent international degree.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent international degree.

Preferred qualifications

Previous microbiological experience especially familiarity with sterile technique, and bacterial and/or virus cultivation.

Strong organizational abilities.

Attention to details.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  
  

• Cover Letter

  
  

• Statement of Research (Optional)

  
  

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link:
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04863

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service. These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.


• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy


• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

Berkeley, CA