"Staff Research Associate 2 (9612C), Energy Biosciences Institute - 80269"

About Berkeley

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Departmental Overview

The Energy & Biosciences Institute (EBI) is a research and development organization that brings advanced knowledge in biology, physical sciences, engineering, and environmental and social sciences to address problems related to global energy production and climate change. EBI represents a collaboration between the University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. EBI's multidisciplinary teams collectively explore total-system approaches to problems that include the sustainable energy production. EBI will educate a new generation of students in all areas of energy and serves as a model for large-scale academic-industry collaborations. EBI has three areas of emphasis that are critical to its mission:

(i) Research; (ii) Education & Outreach; and (iii) Entrepreneurship.

The International Bioeconomy & Macroalgae Center (IBMC) under the EBI was created to facilitate international collaboration and cutting-edge research aimed at building the foundation for a sustainable macroalgae bioeconomy. IBMC manages research programs that address key industry challenges and develops educational resources, workforce training, and community engagement initiatives.

Position Summary

The Energy & Biosciences Institute (EBI) and the International Bioeconomy & Macroalgae Center (IBMC) at UC Berkeley are seeking a motivated Staff Research Associate to support ongoing and future research on seaweed biology, cultivation, and biomass analysis. The candidate will be responsible for maintaining live seaweed cultures, assisting with basic laboratory analyses, and supporting students and researchers working with macroalgae. This role involves hands-on work with temperate and tropical seaweed species in laboratory and greenhouse settings and includes regular tasks such as monitoring growth conditions, preparing samples, and helping maintain lab equipment and culture systems.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 08/21/2025.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain live cultures of a diverse range of temperate and tropical seaweed species under controlled laboratory and greenhouse conditions.
• Coordinate the setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of culturing infrastructure (tanks, seawater systems, lighting, aeration, etc.).
• Develop and optimize cultivation protocols for species-specific growth, reproduction, and biomass quality.
• Implement and perform basic compositional analyses, including moisture content, ash, protein, carbohydrates, and other key biomass components using established methods (e.g., CHN analysis, spectroscopy, etc.).
• Maintain detailed records of culture conditions, growth performance, and biomass characteristics.
• Provide training, materials, and technical support to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty collaborators.
• Support collaborative research efforts and assist in the preparation of data for grant proposals and scientific publications.
• Work closely with the EBI/IBMC Facility Manager and participate in regular meetings with the faculty oversight committee.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with macroalgae cultivation, and a solid understanding of seaweed taxonomy, physiology, and environmental requirements.
• Proficiency in developing and optimizing seaweed cultivation protocols under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Strong technical skills in setting up, maintaining, and troubleshooting aquaculture infrastructure, including tanks, lighting systems, and seawater systems.
• Excellent organizational skills, including accurate record-keeping of culture conditions, biomass metrics, and experimental variables.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience training and supporting researchers and students in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, Phycology, Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences or in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to perform basic biochemical and compositional analyses of biological materials using standard methods and instruments (e.g., CHN analysis, spectroscopy, centrifuges).
• Experience cultivating both temperate and tropical macroalgae species.
• Background in algal biochemistry, marine aquaculture systems, or coastal fieldwork.
• Experience in a research support or facility operations role.
• Master's degree in Marine Biology, Phycology, Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences or in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

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

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $60,245.54 (Step 1) - $84,389.82 (Step 18).

• (40 hours/week).
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

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.