Part-Time Lab Assistant - Brady Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); Davis (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

UC Davis community

Professional lab experience

Job summary

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) invites applications for a Part-Time Lab Assistant in Dr. Siobhan Brady’s lab at UC Davis.

This undergraduate-friendly role supports routine plant growth, experimental prep, and general lab duties in the Controlled Environment Facility. The position offers an hourly pay rate between $16.62 and $20.77 and requires a high school diploma with preference for students pursuing life sciences.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Pursuing life sciences degree preferred.
• Previous lab or greenhouse experience preferred; training provided.
• Dependable, organized, detail-oriented with good record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Washing, autoclaving, and drying sand.
• Preparing plant growth media, pots, and other growth materials.
• Sowing and transplanting plants, watering, and monitoring.
• Maintaining lab cleanliness and organization.
• Adhering to safety and compliance policies.

Skills

HS Diploma

Reliable & organized

Detail oriented

Record-keeping

Hands-on lab work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Pursuing bachelor’s degree

Job description

Primary Work Address: One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and professionals. Together, we’re unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.

We have a great opportunity for a Part-Time Lab Assistant to join Dr. Siobhan Brady’s lab in the Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center at the University of California, Davis. The Brady lab asks the question – How do cells within plant roots respond to the multitude of stresses they face in the world? From cell type molecular signatures to networks, the lab team works to harness these adaptive responses to help tackle current and future environmental challenges. Research in the Brady lab also focuses on understanding how a network of transcriptional interactions regulates tissue development and function. More information about the lab and their work can be found by visiting https://www.jin.scripps.edu/

About the Lab Assistant role

The ideal Lab Assistant candidate is a reliable and motivated undergraduate student who will assist with routine plant growth and experimental preparation in the Controlled Environment Facility (CEF). This is a part-time position that requires working in the lab approximately 7 hours per week and would be an excellent fit for someone who can commit to staying with the lab for up to 1 year with the potential to extend further based on lab needs. This role will be paid at a minimum of $17.40/hour and be commensurate with the chosen candidate’s education, skills, and experience.

What we provide

• Joining a vibrant, collaborative, and enthusiastic lab team
• Joining the UC Davis research community
• Opportunities to gain professional work experience supporting the day-to-day activities of an academic research laboratory
• A competitive hourly pay rate

What you’ll do

• Washing, autoclaving, and drying sand
• Preparing plant growth media, pots, and other growth materials
• Sowing and transplanting plants, watering plants, and monitoring & maintaining plants throughout research experiments
• Maintaining lab cleanliness and organization
• Adhering to all laboratory safety and compliance policies and standards

What you bring

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Candidates who are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the life sciences (biology, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, etc.) are preferred.
• Previous experience with laboratory work, greenhouse work, and/or growing plants is preferred, but not required as training will be provided.
• Ability to be dependable, organized, attentive to detail with good record‑keeping skills
• Comfort with performing hands‑on experimental work.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time;
• Reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s);
• Dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard;
• Communication skills using the spoken word;
• Ability to see and hear within normal parameters;
• Ability to move about workspace;
• The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to 50 pounds (such as bags of sand, a laptop computer, or a tablet).
• Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation.
• Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note: This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Hiring Pay Range

$16.62 - $20.77

Pay Type

Hourly

The posted range reflects HHMI’s good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We use E‑Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever‑evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long‑term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time.

Why HHMI

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results‑driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we’re taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page.