Lab Assistant (9603C), QB3 Berkeley - #89434

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Lab Assistant 3 to provide skilled technical and operational support for research in the Doudna laboratory. You will perform standardized molecular biology, microbiology, protein, and nucleic acid procedures using established protocols, while maintaining records and assisting with data organization and basic computational tasks.

The role involves working under supervision with potential exposure to CRISPR-related projects, and may include

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of standard molecular biology and biochemical laboratory techniques.
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate laboratory records and sample inventories.
• Ability to follow detailed written and oral laboratory protocols and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Perform standardized molecular biology procedures including PCR, DNA assembly, bacterial transformation, plasmid prep, and gel electrophoresis.
• Prepare, label, store, and track DNA constructs, reagents, and samples per established procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of materials and procedures performed.

Skills

Molecular techniques

Record keeping

Lab safety

Detail oriented

Independent worker

Education

High school diploma + 3 years lab exp

Two years college + lab exp

Tools

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 89434

Location: Main Campus-Berkeley

Full/Part Time: Full Time

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

QB3-Berkeley is where world-class scientists and engineers form interdisciplinary collaborations that solve complex health and environmental challenges. By blending biology with physics and engineering, our researchers create life-changing technologies, from the CRISPR gene-editing revolution and click chemistry to the development of malaria-fighting microbes.

Position Summary

Under general supervision, the Lab Assistant 3 provides skilled technical and operational support for research in the Doudna laboratory. This position performs standardized, recurring molecular biology, microbiology, protein, and nucleic acid procedures using established protocols; prepares reagents and samples; maintains laboratory materials and records; and operates routine laboratory equipment. The Lab Assistant 3 organizes technical data for review by research staff and may assist with basic computer-based sequence processing and data organization using established workflows. This position works closely with research personnel to support reliable and reproducible laboratory research activities. Additionally, this position provides technical research support for projects investigating the molecular mechanisms of novel CRISPR-Cas and related microbial defense systems, contributing to the characterization of candidate defense systems identified through genomic and bioinformatic analyses. Under the guidance of the postdoctoral scholar and the principal investigator, the Lab Assistant 3 may also assist with basic computational analysis, including genome mining, sequence analysis, data organization and visualization, and in silico protein structure prediction using tools such as AlphaFold2/ColabFold.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: October 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Molecular Biology and Reagent Preparation - 30%

• Performs standardized and recurring molecular biology procedures in support of laboratory research, including PCR, DNA assembly using established methods, bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation, restriction digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid purification.
• Prepares, labels, stores, and tracks DNA constructs, reagents, and samples according to established laboratory procedures.
• Maintains accurate records of materials and procedures performed.

Recombinant Protein and Sample Preparation - 20%

• Performs established procedures for bacterial culture, recombinant protein expression, cell harvesting and lysis, affinity purification, size-exclusion chromatography, and related sample-processing steps.
• Prepares buffers and other materials, operates routine laboratory equipment, records purification outputs and protein concentration measurements, and prepares samples for use by research personnel.

RNA and Nucleic Acid Technical Procedures - 20%

• Prepares RNA and DNA substrates and performs established procedures including in vitro transcription, nucleic acid purification, native and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and standardized nucleic-acid assay procedures.
• Records experimental conditions and organizes resulting data for review by supervising researchers.

Laboratory Operations, Materials, and Documentation - 20%

• Prepares commonly used buffers, media, solutions, and reagents; organizes and maintains laboratory samples and shared materials; assists with inventory, ordering, receiving, labeling, and storage of laboratory supplies; maintains work areas and equipment; and follows established biological, chemical, and waste-disposal procedures.

Technical Data and Computational Support - 10%

• Records, organizes, and performs routine processing of laboratory and sequence-based data using established software and workflows.
• Prepares basic tables, graphs, sample records, and sequence files for review by research personnel.
• May run established sequence-processing or computational workflows using inputs and parameters provided by supervising researchers.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of standard molecular biology and biochemical laboratory techniques sufficient to perform established procedures, including pipetting, solution preparation, bacterial culture, PCR, nucleic acid purification, and gel electrophoresis.
• Working knowledge of laboratory procedures for preparation and handling of biological samples, reagents, buffers, and other research materials.
• Ability to accurately follow detailed written and oral laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate laboratory records, sample inventories, reagent records, and documentation of procedures performed.
• Ability to recognize deviations from expected technical performance, verify routine procedural steps and controls, and communicate unresolved problems to supervising research personnel.
• Ability to organize multiple samples and recurring laboratory tasks, manage priorities, and perform technical work accurately and reproducibly.
• Ability to operate and maintain routine laboratory equipment according to established procedures and manufacturer instructions.
• Ability to work independently on assigned standardized procedures and collaboratively with laboratory personnel.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and ability to follow institutional procedures for biological materials, chemicals, equipment, and waste disposal.
• Familiarity with recombinant protein purification, RNA handling, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or related laboratory procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a biological research laboratory.

Education / Training

• High school diploma or equivalent and three years of laboratory experience; or two years of college including coursework in the natural, physical, or biological sciences and two years of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Additional college coursework in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, chemistry, or a related discipline (Preferred).

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $28.83, Step 1.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Technical Unit (TX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/tx/index.html

Misconduct

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.

"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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 status under state or federal law.