Lab Coordinator (4263C), School of Public Health #89554

University of California; Berkeley (CA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 56,000; Part time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley's Pandemic and Epidemic Threat Analysis Lab (PETAL) seeks a Lab Coordinator to support HR, purchasing, finance, and operations for a growing computational infectious-disease modelling team.

The role emphasizes coordination across recruitment, budgeting, reimbursements, and lab logistics, with opportunities for professional development and collaboration in a renowned public health environment.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating HR activities, purchasing/reimbursements, finance and/or operations.
• Proficient in communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and in integrating information in the completion of assignments.
• Proven ability to organize work functions in an efficient and effective manner.
• Strong customer service orientation, including excellent interpersonal skills to work with a wide range of faculty, researchers, staff, and students.
• Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with team members.
• Thorough knowledge of common computer applications and web-based collaboration tools; ability to learn new technological platforms.

Responsibilities

• HR: Coordinate recruitment and hiring processes for lab personnel and affiliates; monitor appointment end dates and coordinate reappointments; visa coordination with Berkeley Regional Services.
• Finance: Track spending and reconcile ledgers; work with pre- and post-award staff on proposals and progress reports.
• Purchasing & Reimbursements: Perform lab purchasing via BearBuy; submit reimbursements and resolve vendor issues.
• Operations: Organize lab events, manage documentation, and maintain SOPs and guidelines for compliance.
• Professional Development: Participate in trainings and service activities.
• Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

HR coordination

Communication

Organization

Customer service

Problem solving

Independent work

Collaboration

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

BearBuy

BFS

Reimbursement system

CalAnswers

HR Service Hub

UCPath

Job description

Lab Coordinator (4263C), School of Public Health #89554

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.

At UC Berkeley School of Public Health (UCBPH), health equity and social justice are part of our DNA. For more than 75 years, we’ve been pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Established in 1943, we are a top-10 national school of public health located on the UC Berkeley campus, comprising six academic divisions, more than 20 graduate programs, and nearly 30 research centers and programs. Our mission is to improve population health, especially for the most vulnerable, and our most cherished values are health as a right; strength through diversity; thinking forward; and impact first. Learn more at: publichealth.berkeley.edu.

Led by Dr Charles Whittaker, the Pandemic and Epidemic Threat Analysis Lab (PETAL) at UC Berkeley is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to reducing pandemic risks by turning cutting-edge computational science into actionable public-health guidance. The team at PETAL use cutting-edge computational modelling to explore how infectious diseases spread and to enhance preparedness and response strategies for public health emergencies, in work that is underpinned by a global partnership network spanning Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia and close collaboration with public-health agencies and multilateral partners.

Position Summary

The Lab Coordinator of the Pandemic & Epidemic Threat Analysis Lab (PETAL) in the School of Public Health provides administrative support to a computational infectious-disease modelling group (currently at five people and growing to around 10). The main priorities sit across the administrative areas of HR, finance, purchasing/reimbursements, and operations.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is November 5, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

HR - 25%

• Coordinate recruitment and hiring processes for GSRs, postdoctoral scholars, visiting scholars, student assistants, and other lab personnel and affiliates.
• Monitor appointment end dates and coordinate reappointments, as needed.
• Partner with Berkeley Regional Services to handle arrangements for international students and personnel, including visa coordination.

Finance - 25%

• Track spending across lab funds, monitor available balances, and reconcile monthly ledgers against each grant.
• Partner with Berkeley Regional Services pre-award RAs on the non-technical parts of proposals (statements of work, budget justifications, biosketches, etc.), and with post-award RAs on coordinating actions like no-cost extensions and progress reports.

Purchasing & Reimbursements - 20%

• Perform lab purchasing, including via BearBuy and by holding a purchasing credit card and performing timely reconciliation in the Berkeley Financial System.
• Prepare and submit reimbursements on behalf of lab personnel (travel, entertainment, other).
• Troubleshoot and resolve workflow and vendor issues.

Operations - 20%

• Help organize lab events and associated logistics (meetings, seminar speakers, retreats, conference travel).
• Keep lab's documentation, shared drives, and mailing lists in order.
• Participates in the development and revision of standard operating procedures and guidelines for the lab; assess and recommend changes to maintain compliance with federal and state requirements and internal policies.

Professional Development - 5%

• Participate in trainings, workshops, and other professional development activities; may participate in committees, projects, and other service activities.

Other Duties - 5%

• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Experience coordinating HR activities, purchasing/reimbursements, finance and/or operations.
• Proficient in communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and in integrating information in the completion of assignments.
• Proven ability to organize work functions in an efficient and effective manner.
• Strong customer service orientation, including excellent interpersonal skills to be able to work with a wide range of faculty, researchers, staff, and students.
• Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with team members.
• Thorough knowledge of common computer applications and web-based collaboration tools; ability to learn new technological platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of and/or ability to learn UC Berkeley systems, such as BearBuy, BFS, the reimbursement system, CalAnswers, HR Service Hub, UCPath, etc.
• Experience working in a research environment.
• Experience coordinating HR activities, purchasing/reimbursements, finance and/or operations within higher education institution(s).

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

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 fo r this position is$34.06 - $40.75, Step 1 - 9. The full pay scale for this classification is $34.06 - $59.67, Step 1 - 26.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a 50-100% (20-40 hours per week), Variable, Career position that is eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 1 day/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• 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 is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

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:

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.