Staff Research Associate 2

Position Number: 41013852

Payroll Title: SRA 2 NEX (009617)

Job Code: 009617

Job Open Date: 4/29/26

Application Review Begins: 5/14/26

Department Code (Name): NRII (NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH INST)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): RX - Research Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $31.23 - $32.51/hour. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $31.23 - $50.24/hour.

Work Location: Biological Sciences II - 4130

Working Days and Hours: M-F, 8-5

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: N/A

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Neuroscience Research Institute is an organized research unit whose mission is to foster knowledge and understanding of the nervous system by serving as a center for scientific research breakthroughs. The NRI is a group of investigators whose collective goal is to create an intellectual atmosphere conducive to exploration at the frontiers of human knowledge where disciplinary boundaries disappear. Investigators in the NRI recognize that the interests of neuroscience extend broadly from repair and prevention of human disease to the principles that underlie the earliest nervous systems, from the human mind to the single molecular building blocks of the brain.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Acts as the Lab Manager for Dr. Craig Montell's laboratory, and will provide a range of laboratory assistance to support research activities. Trains researchers new to the laboratory as to the general protocols used in the lab. Oversees the maintenance of laboratory equipment, regulatory compliance and assistance with lab management. Coordinates the distribution of reagents to other lab upon request. Performs genetic experiments in flies and mosquitoes. Performs behavioral experiments to assay the olfactory and gustatory responses in flies and mosquitoes. Performs electrophysiological recordings on olfactory sensilla. Performs molecular and biochemical analyses to characterize the roles of channels and receptors in sensory signaling. Performs PCR, subcloning, and other molecular analyses. Performs sectioning fly and mosquito tissue and microscopy.

Required Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree in Biology or related field Bachelor's Degree
• 1-3 years College-level biology coursework or lab experience
• 1-3 years Professional work experience
• Comfortable working in a lab environment
• Must be very reliable, organized and have an attention to detail
• Comfortable lifting heavy loads (up to 50 lbs.)

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 50% Laboratory Maintenance - Responsible for the general laboratory maintenance and inventory including maintenance of laboratory equipment, regulatory compliance, record keeping and inventory ordering and stocking. Sends out reagents that are requested, and makes sure that laboratory fly stocks are in order.
• 20% Conducts Experiments - Independently performs genetic experiments requiring a thorough understanding of chromosomal markers, and the fly lifecycle. Performs behavioral experiments to assay the olfactory and gustatory responses in flies and mosquitoes. Performs electrophysiological recordings on olfactory sensilla in the fruit fly and mosquito and characterizes the olfactory responses using single sensillum recordings. Performs molecular and biochemical analyses to characterize the roles of channels in sensory signaling. Performs PCR, subcloning, and other molecular analyses. Performs sectioning of fly and mosquito tissue and microscopy.
• 20% Manage Lab Member Experiments - Assist students and postdocs in the lab with routine molecular and biochemical analyses, performing routine DNA cloning and PCR, as well as protein purification experiments.
• 10% Training - Responsible for training new members of the lab in the general safety protocols and routine Drosophila genetic and molecular procedures.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

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 status under state or federal law.

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