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Lab Specialist - (Zebrafish, Microbiology, Circadian Biology)
Position overview
Position title: Lab Specialist -Zebrafish, Microbiology, Circadian Biology (Jr. Specialist- Specialist ranks)Application Window
Open date: May 12, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
Assistant Professor Jacqueline Kimmey in the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a laboratory specialist.
Under the direction of Professor Kimmey, the selected candidate will assist with research projects focused on understanding the interactions between circadian rhythms, innate immunity, and bacterial pathogenesis. A major job duty will include work in the zebrafish facility at UCSC (monitoring water quality, feeding, overseeing breeding, raising larvae) - thus applicants must be willing to work with live zebrafish.
The specialist may also be required to perform lab management duties, such as ordering supplies, making buffers and reagents, and ensuring compliance with lab policies and biosafety (EHS) regulations. The candidate will be expected to perform basic wet lab experiments such as tissue culture, plasmid purification, bacterial transformation, and may include animal studies in mice or zebrafish. The position will require the incumbent to successfully follow both verbal and written directions, keep organized records, and respectfully communicate and collaborate with the lab’s team of students, faculty, and staff.
The selected candidate’s appointed rank (i.e. junior specialist, assistant specialist, associate specialist, or specialist) salary, research activities, and the level of independence they must perform will be contingent on the candidate’s earned degree and prior experience. See CAPM 603.300 Specialist Series, section D. Qualifications for each rank’s required qualifications.
Applicants with one or more of the following preferred areas of expertise are strongly encouraged to apply: research experience with circadian biology, cell signaling, innate immunity, murine or zebrafish models, bacterial or eukaryotic genetics.
Notice: Although all individuals can safely work in the lab, this lab utilizes pathogenic bacteria which pose an increased risk to immunocompromised individuals.
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
Kimmey Lab: https://www.kimmeylab.com/
Qualifications
- Baccalaureate degree or higher (or foreign equivalent degree) in biology/biological sciences, biomedical sciences molecular biology, cell/cellular and molecular biology, immunology, molecular genetics, or a related field. Please see CAPM 603.300 Specialist Series, section D. Qualifications for the required qualifications for the ranks higher than the junior specialist rank. It is anticipated that the degree requirements will be completed no later than June 30, 2025.
- Demonstrated experience with molecular biology “wet lab” techniques, such as: nucleic acid isolation, PCR, cell culture, bacterial culture and quantification techniques, western blotting, flow cytometry and / or microscopy.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications with DOI links or URLs of PDFs (if any).
Cover Letter - Please describe relevant background, research experience and interest in this position.
Applicants with substantial research experience may opt to include a separate statement of research - in this case, it is not necessary to repeat those details in the cover letter.Statement of Research - Optional (but strongly recommended for applicants with a graduate degree). If included, please describe your prior research experience.
(Optional)
- 3-5 letters of reference required
Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation*. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at https://academicpersonnel.ucsc.edu/confidentiality-statements/.
Help contact: jkimmey@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “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.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
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.
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.
UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.
The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
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