"Lab Manager (9612C), Innovative Genomics Institute - 82869"

Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a partnership between the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. The IGI envisions a world in which genome-engineering innovations benefit humanity and are accessible to all. The Institute's mission is to accelerate genome discovery and translation of resulting technologies in order to ethically and equitably improve human health and sustainable agriculture. Combining the fundamental research expertise and the biomedical talent, the IGI focuses on unraveling the mechanisms underlying CRISPR-based genome editing and applying this technology to cure disease, combat climate change ensure food sustainability, and provide additional benefits for current and future generations. The IGI consists of four central programs: Human Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Advancing Genome Engineering, and Public Impact. Unlike the first three, the Public Impact program does not involve laboratory research but instead focuses on accomplishing the goal of IGI founder, Jennifer Doudna, to ensure that genome engineering makes the world a better place. To complement the laboratory work, the Public Impact Program places special emphasis on connecting the science of genome engineering to the world. The role of the Public Impact program is to engage in societal research, public and stakeholder engagement, outreach, and policy to align genome editing applications with societal needs and values, ensuring that benefits are ethical, accessible, and desirable.

Position Summary

The position is an integral part of a dynamic research team dedicated to advancing microbiome editing and phage engineering. Our work addresses critical challenges in human health and environmental sustainability, with projects ranging from combating ESKAPE pathogens and disease-associated microbes in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and asthma, to reducing methane emissions in agriculture through microbiome-based interventions.

The Lab Manager (SRA2) position plays a key role in supporting and advancing these research efforts. Performs a wide variety of standard laboratory procedures independently, without the need for detailed technical supervision. Adapts, modifies, or develops new procedures based on available literature or prior experimental outcomes to meet the evolving needs of research projects.

Primary responsibilities include targeted genetic engineering of bacteria, isolation and cultivation of bacterial communities, microbiome manipulation, and execution of high-throughput assays. The SRA2 will also be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the lab, including ordering supplies and equipment, maintaining laboratory instruments, ensuring compliance with safety and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) regulations, and assisting in the training and supervision of undergraduate researchers and or work study students.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for designing and conducting laboratory experiments, including cloning and propagating bacteria, to support the editing and isolation of bacterial strains within microbial communities, in collaboration with senior researchers.
• As needed, troubleshoot and resolve experimental or sample-related issues.
• Molecular biology: DNA/RNA extraction from microbial samples, PCR for microbial identification/quantification, Gel electrophoresis and restriction digestion, Sequencing techniques (Sanger, next-gen sequencing basics), Golden gate cloning, bacterial transformation.
• Microbiology: Culture and isolation of model and non-model species, growth of species in anaerobic conditions, enrichment of microbial cultures, measurement of microbial growth, antibiotic susceptibility testing.
• Organizes and maintains laboratory equipment, chemical inventories-including general lab chemicals, molecular and microbiology reagents-and laboratory data storage systems. Orders laboratory supplies and reagents, manages purchase orders, and negotiates discounts with suppliers.
• Oversees and ensures compliance with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) regulations.
• Trains and supervises undergraduates and junior laboratory assistants in standard laboratory procedures.
• Processes data including calculating transformation and targeted DNA editing efficiencies and generating graphs, figures and tables from that data.
• Generates reagents such as media and antibiotic stock for bacteria and phage editing as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Cloning experience.
• Microbial cultivation experience.
• Data Analysis.
• In depth knowledge of laboratory safety recommendations and requirements.
• Ability to effectively manage time and work on many concurrent tasks/ projects.
• Ability to keep a detailed record of experimental results.
• Laboratory Equipment knowledge and troubleshooting.
• Bachelor's degree in related area with 1+ years of experience and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Negotiating and communicating with suppliers.

Salary & Benefits

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $63,257.82 - $68,511.85.

This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.