Senior Biology Teaching Laboratory Support Technician

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 6/23/2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology (MCD) is comprised of thirty-five faculty members and four lecturers, whose work focuses on questions of how information in DNA is packaged, read, and interpreted in living cells, how those cells are built and regenerated, and how cells work together to comprise a whole organism.

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), is devoted to the study of ecological and evolutionary processes in marine and terrestrial and freshwater environments. The past 30 years have seen several revolutions in our understanding of how the biological world works. Advances in both analytical and genetic methods have given us a far more sophisticated understanding of the complexities of ecological and evolutionary processes in the natural world. Biologists at UCSC have played and will continue to play an important part in these advances, and the campus programs offer unique educational opportunities in biology that feature small class sizes and extensive faculty-student interactions.

The Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) focuses on the human and environmental health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. This interdisciplinary focus has led to new insights into how microbes cause disease and affect the bioavailability of toxicants in the environment, as well as how organisms respond to these injurious agents. While our research is driven by biological questions, it has a significant translational component and has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, approaches for bioremediation, and markers of toxicant exposure. In addition, our department provides an exciting and effective training environment for graduate and undergraduate research and teaching. The METX faculty have been very successful in developing independent and interdisciplinary research programs, publishing in top-rated peer-reviewed journals, and advancing through the professoriate ranks. Moreover our graduate training prepares students to become leaders in various fields, following career paths in academia, teaching, industry, and government.

This position supports these three departments:
Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, and as a senior member of the Biology Teaching Laboratories (BTL) instructional support team, the incumbent will provide technical and logistical support for laboratory course offerings in the Biological Sciences by preparing and organizing materials and equipment, analyzing and testing experimental protocols, and maintaining order and cleanliness in the BTL. This position requires a combination of journey level knowledge and skill in multiple, distinct scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolutionary biology. This position supports laboratory and field courses offered by the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Department, the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, and the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $66,741.24 - 69,475.71/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: RX Union

Job Code Classification: SRA 3 (009611)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

35% - Laboratory Course Preparation

• Prepare laboratory materials, set up instruments and provide field equipment in a timely, safe and economical fashion, applying journey level knowledge and skill drawn from multiple, distinct scientific disciplines.
• Safely prepare chemical reagents and culture media in appropriate amounts.
• Test effectiveness of reagents and media as needed.
• Keep written records of work in laboratory notebooks, word processing, spreadsheet and data files, including complete written reports of laboratory and field experimental methods.
• Provide written and oral instructions on proper equipment use to colleagues, instructors, TAs and students.
• Contribute original ideas to improve or modify laboratory and/or field research operations.
• Standardize new techniques and train students, staff and instructors in their use as needed.
• Act as a resource when questions concerning equipment use or experimental protocols arise during laboratory or field courses.
• Maintain teaching collections of living organisms including bacteria, yeasts, fruit flies, plants and other experimental cultures.
• Prepare culture media and perform transfers.
• Collect organisms in the field when necessary.

20% - Development, Analysis, and Testing of Experimental Protocols for Course-Specific Exercises in the Biological Sciences

• Determine the equipment, reagents, media and supplies needed by laboratory and field courses on a daily, weekly, and quarterly basis by critical reading and analysis of written laboratory protocols and through consultation with instructors and TAs.
• Test experimental protocols provided by instructors and suggest modifications as necessary.
• Make innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory and/or field experimental procedures, including experimental redesign, protocol modifications and results assessment and reporting.

20% - Organization of Materials and Equipment for Laboratory and Field Courses in the Biological Sciences

• Clean, store and track equipment and materials following exercises.
• Maintain order, cleanliness and safety in the BTL.
• Coordinate use of equipment by different classes.
• Operate / Drive departmental vehicles and deliver them to and from Fleet Services.
• Negotiate short-term loans of equipment or supplies from research labs or other campus units as needed.
• Place orders for equipment, chemicals, and supplies from external vendors, as expeditiously as possible.
• Test, calibrate, and perform minor repairs to lab instrumentation.
• Clean or direct students to clean lab benches, glassware and other equipment.
• Transport equipment and supplies between the main campus and the Coastal Sciences Campus.
• Implement correct record keeping procedures to maintain departmental inventories and storage records.
• Determine and plan maintenance schedules.

15% - Supervision of Work-study Students Assistants and Mentorship of Junior Staff Members

• Teach and mentor work-study and junior BTL staff members as needed.
• Train students and staff in correct laboratory procedures and safety measures.
• Assign work-study student tasks on a daily basis.
• Participate in the recruitment and evaluation of work-study student assistants.

10% - Hazardous Materials Handling and Disposal

• Coordinate the efficient and safe use of hazardous chemicals and biohazardous materials as required by UCSC Environmental Health and Safety.
• Notify students and instructors of any hazards in the lab, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and required safety precautions.
• Implement appropriate procedures for monitoring and decontamination of equipment and laboratories.
• Implement required procedures for disposal of chemical and biohazard waste.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of advanced principles of biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolutionary biology as attained through coursework leading to a bachelor's or master's degree in a related discipline, and specialized knowledge of the principles of modern laboratory and field biology.
• Demonstrated proficiency in laboratory skills including accurate weighing and mixing of chemicals and media, pH adjustment, sterilization, dispensing, sterile transfer, sterile techniques, dilutions, molarities and ancillary calculations.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meters, centrifuges, microscopes, pipettors, spectrophotometers, and electrophoresis units, and a theoretical and practical knowledge of modern laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience and analytical skills sufficient to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks to meet strict deadlines.
• Experience designing, testing and analyzing experimental protocols and performing basic and advanced experimental lab procedures.
• Experience with diagnostic analyses of reagents and media.
• Demonstrated ability to critically read and comprehend technical literature.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of faculty, staff and students and engage them in productive dialog regarding technical issues.
• Experience working cooperatively as part of a team.
• Experience training, supervising or evaluating the work of students.
• Experience safely handling toxic chemicals and biohazards.
• Experience procuring materials based on cost and serviceability and the analytical skills to determine whether an alternate product choice is adequate for course related exercises.
• Experience handling and maintaining living organisms such as bacteria, yeast, plants, and invertebrates.
• Demonstrated ability to work quickly, accurately, and independently in a fast-paced environment and focus on tasks despite frequent interruptions.
• Knowledge and experience with information technology including word processing, spreadsheets, data storage and analysis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as a laboratory technician where duties included direct responsibility for preparing laboratory experiments for college level courses in molecular biology or biochemistry.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

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.

a. "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:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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.