Staff Research Associate I

UC Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine is seeking a Staff Research Associate I in the Mass Spectrometry Facility within the Department of Chemistry. You will assist faculty, PIs, and senior staff with analytical research activities across LC-MS, GC-MS, MALDI-MS, and related workflows, under close supervision.

The role supports a large user base, maintains data records, and helps with instrument maintenance, safety and inventory, while developing practical laboratory skills in a vibrant academic setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field with lab experience.
• Knowledge of and adherence to laboratory safety procedures.
• Strong organizational and teamwork capabilities and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Assist with laboratory experiments, method development, and research studies under the direction of faculty and senior staff.
• Perform routine technical procedures including LC-MS, GC-MS, and MALDI-MS.
• Prepare reagents, samples, and research materials for analyses.
• Collect, record, organize, and maintain experimental data.
• Maintain notebooks, research records, and databases.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Independent work

Recordkeeping

Laboratory safety

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related scientific field

Tools

Mass spectrometry

MS data analysis software

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.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

The UC Irvine Department of Chemistry is one of four departments in the School of Physical Sciences. Our Department provides world-class education and training for our student population while pushing the frontiers of knowledge through cutting edge research. The Special Project Coordinator is a key part of a collaborative management team in the Department of Chemistry that works together to find innovative solutions and practices to achieve goals and improve administrative practices. The Department of Chemistry is committed to excellence through inclusion and diversity. We welcome, respect, and are strengthened by our diversity as women, men, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. We benefit from our common humanity, as well as our difference in race, ethnicity, age, national origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, abilities, religions, and point of view. Come be part of our excellent team!

Your Role on the Team

Under the direct supervision of the Facility Director, the Staff Research Associate I (SRA I) is an entry-level research support position in the Department of Chemistry’s Mass Spectrometry Facility (MSF) responsible for assisting faculty, Principal Investigators (PIs), Project Scientists, and senior laboratory personnel with analytical research activities in academic, clinical, or field research settings. The MSF in the Department of Chemistry is a component of UCI’s MS Shared Matrix Facility supported by UCI’s Cancer Research Center.

The MSF supports a large userbase of >250 users and operates 20 instruments from multiple vendors including: Waters Corporation, ThermoFisher Scientific, Bruker Corporation, Agilent Technologies and Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. Modalities include LC-MS, GC-MS, MALDI-MS and MALDI Imaging MS. Major software applications include: Waters MassLynx, Thermo Scientific Chromeleon, Agilent MassHunter, Bruker flexcontrol and SCiLS Lab Pro and Shimadzu ImageReveal.

The incumbent will perform standardized laboratory and mass spectrometry research procedures, collect and organize experimental data, maintain research materials and MS equipment, and support ongoing research projects under close supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Experimental Support

• Assist with laboratory experiments, method development, and research studies under the direction of faculty and senior research personnel.
• Perform routine technical procedures according to established protocols, including procedures involving liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS).
• Prepare reagents, samples, cultures, and other research materials for laboratory experiments and analyses.
• Collect, record, organize, and maintain experimental and observational data.
• Maintain accurate and complete laboratory notebooks, research records, and associated databases.
• Perform routine review and validation of research data, including small-molecule molecular formula validation and analyte identification.
• Assist with literature searches and other research‑related information gathering in support of laboratory projects.

60%

Laboratory Operations, Equipment Maintenance, and Safety

• Operate mass spectrometry and related laboratory equipment according to established procedures and protocols.
• Perform routine instrument maintenance, including weekly maintenance activities and operation of quality control (QC) standards to support reliable instrument performance.
• Clean and maintain laboratory instruments, equipment, and workspaces in accordance with established laboratory procedures.
• Monitor laboratory supply and consumable inventories and coordinate routine ordering and restocking.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and applicable institutional requirements for the handling, storage, and disposal of research materials.
• Properly collect and dispose of hazardous materials and laboratory waste in accordance with established institutional procedures.

20%

Research Documentation and Administrative Support

• Enter, verify, organize, and maintain research data and supporting documentation.
• Prepare charts, spreadsheets, summaries, and other materials to support research activities and reporting.
• Assist with preparation and maintenance of research documentation, records, and reports.
• Provide routine coordination and scheduling support for laboratory and research activities as needed.

10%

Laboratory Training and Support

• Participate in laboratory meetings, technical training, and other activities necessary to maintain proficiency in laboratory procedures, instrumentation, research protocols, and safety requirements.
• Complete required institutional and laboratory‑specific safety and compliance training.
• Assist with routine laboratory activities and operational needs that support the effective functioning of the research laboratory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned consistent with the scope and level of the position.

10%

What It Takes to be Successful

Required

• Knowledge of and adherence to laboratory safety procedures
• Strong organizational/teamwork capabilities and effective communication skills
• Ability to apply basic scientific analytical workflows and follow detailed technical protocols
• Accurate recordkeeping and data management
• Ability to work independently on routine assignments
• Bachelor’s degree in: Chemistry or related scientific field and research/laboratory experience or combination of education and experience.

Preferred

• Practical experience with mass spectrometry applications (LC-MS, GC-MS and/or MALDI-MS) is preferred but not essential
• Familiarity with MS data analysis software
• 1-3 years

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 $29.99- $30.64 (Hourly).

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.

• 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