Staff Research Associate 2 (Limited Pool)

University of California, Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 44,083 - 73,012; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking Staff Research Associates (SRAs) to support academically supervised research and teaching across chemistry, biology, psychology, and related fields. Incumbents perform varied laboratory procedures and may assist in teaching activities under academic supervision.

Positions are offered as temporary employment with openings refreshed every six months; review occurs as openings become available and the position closes on 12/31/2026.

Responsibilities

• Chemical analyst performing qualitative and quantitative analyses using standard methods.
• Entomologist in a biological control unit, rearing insects and parasites.
• Plant pathologist identifying mycological organisms on plant material.
• Microbiologist isolating and purifying cultures from plant or animal materials.
• Histologist performing standardized, but intricate, procedures for preparing and examining plant materials for microscopy.
• Experimental psychologist assisting in psychophysiological experiments and data analysis.
• Electron microscopist preparing tissue for electron microscopy and maintaining related facilities.

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, 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 full salary range for this position is Step 1: 32.79 – Step 25: 52.75. The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1: $32.79/hr.

Job Closing Date

Review of applications will occur as openings become available. Candidates will be selected for temporary employment in various departments as positions become available. This position is reopened every six months so please re-apply if you remain interested in the position. This position will close on 12/31/2026.

About The Job

Staff Research Associates (SRAs) perform or supervise the performance of laboratory and/or field experimental procedures in support of academically-supervised research and teaching in the natural, physical or social sciences; and perform other related duties as required. Incumbents perform technical determinations and/or make technical observations in one or more fields of scientific endeavor that usually yield technical data about the phenomena under investigation. The fields may include chemistry, physics, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, psychology, biology, geology, bacteriology, and other similar fields. The technical determinations include, for example, biochemical, radiochemical, physical, and biological preparation, examination, and analysis of specimen material. Installation, operation, and maintenance of laboratory and field instruments may be an essential part of the duties. The technical data yielded are used primarily for research and teaching, but the data may also relate to public service, such as patient care or agricultural extension. Incumbents work under academic supervision, although they may report directly to a higher level Staff Research Associate. They may participate or assist in teaching activities by discussing experimental procedures with students, demonstrating procedures, working with faculty in presenting, developing or modifying portions of course material, and by providing technical supervision to students and visitors during assigned periods. However, they do not have formal responsibility for teaching and course content. Normally, engagement in teaching activities is ancillary to engagement in research activities under academic supervision.

Essential Duties

Under supervision, incumbents perform (a) a wide variety of standard repetitive laboratory and/or field experimental procedures at the full operational or journey level of skill in one field of specialty; or (b) perform a limited variety of non-standard laboratory and/or field experimental procedures requiring ingenuity, resourcefulness, and adaptability to special and changing needs of research in one specialized field; or (c) perform a limited variety or repetitive but highly specialized laboratory and/or field experimental procedures. Modify, vary or adapt standard procedures to meet the needs of research projects, or improve tests that are unsatisfactory, and after studying available literature, analyze and alter conditions under which determinations are made. They may also acquire and apply a body of knowledge and skill in a field of comparatively narrow scope where the emphasis is on specialized techniques. Assignments at this level of difficulty are typically non-supervisory; however, an SRA 2 NEX may also be assigned the management responsibility for a small laboratory unit, with at least one Staff Research Associate I or a group of lower-level laboratory employees such as Laboratory Assistants, Animal Technicians, etc. This type of responsibility typically includes ordering supplies and equipment and insuring proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Assignments Include, But Not Limited To

• Chemical analyst performing a wide variety of chemical analyses, including qualitative and quantitative analyses of unknowns, by using standard methods and by developing modifications of standard methods to meet special needs.
• Entomologist in a biological control unit, in charge of rearing of various species of insects and parasites, including responsibility for determining the kind of food host to use, the age and culture of food host best suited, the timing of breeding and rearing operations, and kinds of parasites to rear on insects to best accomplish the experimental purposes involved.
• Plant pathologist, identifying mycological organisms on plant material by microscopic examination and by keying down, using judgment when descriptions in literature are incomplete or inaccurate.
• Microbiologist, isolating and purifying cultures of fungus and bacterial organisms from plant or animal materials, varying the method on each specimen to identify the organism and obtain a pure culture.
• Histologist, performing a wide variety of standardized, but intricate and delicate procedures for preparing and examining plant materials for optical and/or electron microscopy.
• Experimental psychologist, assisting in psychophysiological experiments on man and animals, preparing subjects for experiments, performing psychophysical tests, improving tests as necessary and analyzing and developing statistical data.
• Electron microscopist, preparing tissue for electron microscopy, maintaining electron microscopes and photographic darkroom and prep room facilities, providing individual and classroom instruction on the use of the electron microscope and related facilities.

Background Check

Background check will be required.

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Vaccination Program Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection or Deferral based on pregnancy no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts require UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/