"Assistant/Associate Specialist - Phycological Specialist - University and Jepson Herbaria"

Position overview

Position title: Phycological Specialist

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t24-b.pdf. The current full-time base salary range for this position is $63,500-$88,000. 'Off-scale' salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: February 2026

Position duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: February 11, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Mar 13, 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

The University and Jepson Herbaria at UC Berkeley seek an experienced phycologist to work in the Silva Center with the mission to develop, maintain and share documentation in the field of algal systematics.

The incumbent will be working as part of the International Bioeconomy Macroalgae Center (IBMC), funded by NSF and led by J.D. Coates, Professor of Microbiology at UC Berkeley. The work will focus on extracting and amplifying DNA from historic type and other herbarium specimens as part of our effort to understand the seaweed flora of California. The assembly of plastid genomes and exploration of nuclear sequences will be accomplished in collaboration with Igor Grigoriev, of the DOE Joint Genome Institute.

The Responsibilities of the Position include:

• Extract DNA from archival type specimens of California seaweeds.
• Design primers for use with historic algae specimens.
• Amplify DNA for next generation sequencing of plastid genomes and portions of nuclear DNA.
• Annotate and construct plastid genomes with the Joint Genome Institute.
• Collaborate on writing papers to report results.

Department: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Master's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Master's degree program (or equivalent international degree)

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
• Master's degree (or equivalent international degree).

Preferred qualifications
• Experience with extracting DNA from historic marine algal herbarium specimens, molecular techniques, DNA sequencing, analysis of plastid genome data.
• Familiarity with museum curation, and seaweed systematics and nomenclature.
• Demonstrated publication record in Phycology.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.
(Optional)

Reference requirements
• 3-5 required (contact information only)