Junior/Assistant Specialist – The Space Sciences Laboratory

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The Space Sciences Laboratory at University of California, Berkeley seeks a Junior/Assistant Specialist to support the Plume Ice Capture of Organics (PICO) project. The role focuses on bench tests of subsystems, basic experiment design, data collection and analysis, and progress reporting.

Early career development is encouraged with opportunities to contribute to publications and present results at academic meetings. Start Fall 2026; 100% time; one-year term with potential renewal.

Qualifications

• Candidate must have a Bachelor's degree or be enrolled in a Bachelor's program.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to present results.
• Willingness to participate in publications and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Perform bench tests on SSL prototype subsystems and collect data.
• Design basic experiments and analyze results.
• Prepare progress reports and participate in weekly team meetings.
• Assist with part fabrication, sourcing, finishing, and cleaning as directed by PICO engineers.
• Contribute to specialized tests including environmental and fluidic evaluations.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree in Physics/Chemistry/Engineering

Job description

Junior/Assistant Specialist – The Space Sciences Laboratory

Position overview

Position title: Junior Specialist

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: Salary Scale A reasonable estimate for these positions would be $85,700–$91,200 for a Junior Specialist and $98,900–$104,400 for an Assistant Specialist.

Percent time: 100

Anticipated start: Fall 2026

Position duration: Initial appointment is a one-year term; reappointment is dependent upon performance, programmatic need, and budget

Open date: August 25, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Sep 27, 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

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks an Junior/Assistant Specialist to work on the Plume Ice Capture of Organics (PICO) project.

PICO is a sampler and microfluidic system for handling small aqueous samples in development for deployment on planetary exploration missions.

The main duties are performing bench tests on subsystem prototypes developed by SSL scientists and engineers. The work includes basic experiment design, performing tests, collecting and analyzing data, and compiling progress reports.

The Specialist/Assistant will participate in weekly team meetings and is expected to present summaries and discussion of experiment design and results. Early career development is encouraged with opportunities for participating in preparation of publications and presenting results at academic meetings. Additional duties involve assisting with part fabrication processes as directed by PICO engineers, including component sourcing, finishing, and cleaning. The assistant will participate in specialized tests, including environmental testing and fluidic performance evaluations.

Department: http://ssl.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

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

Additional qualifications

(required at time of start)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• 1 year laboratory experience

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

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, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). 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 Affi­... 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.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

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 or discrimination, 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