Lab Assistant 1

University of California - Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 3,725,000 - 3,954,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Paid time off (sick and vacation)

Retirement savings plans

Discounts and perks

Job summary

University of California, Irvine is seeking a Brain Bank Lab Assistant 1 to provide essential technical and operational support for the brain bank and research laboratory team. You will collect, process, and cryogenically store biological specimens, including blood and CSF, and prepare stock solutions for lab procedures.

You will assist with tissue requests and coordinate shipments while maintaining inventory and lab readiness.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Accurate tissue collection and handling in a research setting.
• Ability to follow safety and biosafety protocols.
• Ability to multi-task in a high-volume laboratory environment.
• Experience in a laboratory setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect, process, and store biological specimens (blood, CSF).
• Prepare stock solutions for procedures.
• Fulfill tissue requests by retrieving samples with brain bank staff.
• Package and coordinate shipment of materials per safety/regulatory requirements.
• Maintain lab readiness: inventory, freezer organization, slides, paraffin blocks.
• Ensure compliance with established protocols and safety standards.

Skills

Communication skills

Technical knowledge

Teamwork

Computer proficiency

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Adaptability

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree (preferable) in sciences

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

The UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) Orange County's only state and federally funded Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and is internationally recognized for its research accomplishments in age-related brain disorders. The Institute is composed of faculty and staff from multiple Departments and Schools, ranging from basic laboratory scientists to physician investigators, with a common goal of research discovery to improve the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and cure of age-related brain diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease.

To learn more about UCi MIND, visit mind.uci.edu/

Your Role on the Team

The Brain Bank Lab Assistant 1 provides essential technical and operational support to the brain bank and research laboratory team. Under general supervision, the incumbent is responsible for the collection, processing, and cryogenic storage of biological specimens, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, as well as the preparation of stock solutions required for laboratory procedures. The Lab Assistant 1 plays a key role in fulfilling tissue requests by pulling and preparing tissue and fluid samples in collaboration with brain bank staff, ensuring that all specimens are handled with precision and in accordance with established protocols. Additional responsibilities include packaging and coordinating the shipment of biological materials in compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements, as well as maintaining the overall operational readiness of the laboratory through routine supply ordering and the systematic inventory and organization of freezers, slides, and paraffin blocks. This position requires strong attention to detail, a working knowledge of laboratory safety and biosafety practices, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic research environment.

What It Takes to be Successful

Required:

• Effective communication and collaboration skills.


• Technical knowledge


• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team


• Familiar with computer software and databases


• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment, organizational skills, effective verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment and decision making; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.


• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.


• Safety and compliance - biosafety protocol


• Thorough knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.


• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma


• A minimum of 1 year of experienceLaboratory experience

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in the natural, physical or social sciences, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Conditions:

• Available to work weekends, evenings and holidays as needed.

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $27.04- $28.70 (Hourly).

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan


• Employment Misconduct*


• Legal Right to work in the United States


• Vaccination Policies


• Smoking and Tobacco Policy


• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act


• E-Verify


• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California 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, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship

Must be able to provide proof of work authorization