Instructional Labs Staff Research Associate 1 - 117757

Job Description


UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 7/28/22 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 8/8/22. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.


Chemistry and Biochemistry is one of the largest and most complex departments on campus. The department’s organization is divided among three major academic sections each with its own leadership representation under the Department Chair: Physical, Analytical & Environmental (PAE); Biochemistry & Biophysics (BB); and finally Synthesis, Materials and Chemical Biology (SMCB). The department is comprised of 75 ladder rank faculty, and additional 10 in various instructional titles and ~150 in academic research titles and postdoctoral scholars. The above academic community presents a plethora of diverse complex issues from Health Sciences Compensation Program agreements to adjuncts from national laboratories sharing negotiated employee patent agreements. The department is also comprised of 90 career staff; ~60 temporary or student staff, and 350 Master’s and Ph.D. students. Undergraduate students majoring in chemistry number greater than 1,700, and total undergraduate and graduate annual course enrollments exceed 23,000. The department currently has more than 120 awards from federal, state and private sources for approximately $20 million per annum in extramural funding and $46 million in total annual expenditures.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry manages eight recharge facilities supporting national as well as UCSD-wide research endeavors in academe and industry: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Molecular Mass Spectrometry, Biomolecular and Proteomics Mass Spectroscopy, Inorganic Characterization Instrumentation, Protein Crystallography, Small Molecule X-Ray Crystallography, Fabrication Facility plus the on campus Chemistry Storehouse. In addition, we are home to two national research center grants. The department also manages three major NIH training grants, and one Department of Education training grant, which fund graduate and postdoctoral students across UCSD departments/disciplines as well as off campus research organizations.

We are recruiting for two non-research related positions working with a team of laboratory staff to prepare materials for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. We are looking for an SRA 1 and an SRA 2. The SRA 1 will provide technical support for introductory level classes and the teaching laboratory stockroom, and should be familiar with a broad range of chemistry & biochemistry techniques. The SRA 2 will work closely with the course Faculty Instructor to provide sole technical support for designated undergraduate lab classes, and should be able to independently run experiments. This posting is for the SRA 1 position, but we encourage applicants to review and apply to both. The SRA 2 recruitment is #117758.

The Staff Research Associate 1 provides technical support to the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry's teaching labs, specifically in our introductory level teaching course and stockroom. Duties include the preparation and distribution of chemicals into multiple teaching laboratory rooms; stocking of undergraduate lab rooms with chemicals, gloves, paper towels and other consumables each week; removal and submission of hazardous waste for proper disposal; and set-up/testing of basic laboratory equipment and instrumentation including pH meters, visible spectrometers, centrifuges, and ovens. Incumbent will also assist in maintaining a large chemistry stockroom and student service window. Teaching laboratory spaces will on occasion, need to be cleaned in order to ensure safe working conditions. Must support and promote an attitude of practicing chemistry safely.

  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, depending on the quarter's schedule of classes. Work schedule may change from quarter to quarter, and occasional overtime may be required.

  • Must work around poisonous, carcinogenic, and explosive substances. Must be able to go to Chemistry undergraduate laboratories in widely separate areas. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

  • Work experience in an academic institution or scientific environment.

  • Theoretical and practical knowledge in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology or other related field or as acquired through a Bachelor's degree or higher in a related science; or an equivalent combination of education and laboratory experience.

  • Knowledge of proper handling and usage of chemicals. Knowledge of stoichiometry and ability to formulate chemical preparations. Ability to read chemical symbols and formulas. Knowledge of mathematics through calculus. Working knowledge of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

  • Proven ability to perform standard lab calculations necessary to prepare solutions of specific concentrations (molarity, percentage etc). Demonstrated skill to measure and weigh chemicals and solutions with a high degree of accuracy.

  • Knowledge of laboratory safety rules and regulations, MSDSs, and laboratory safety precautions including: safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals, radioisotopes, biologicals; the use of lab safety equipment; and familiarity with the campus safety procedures. Willingness and ability to keep safety training current and consistent with research involvement.

  • Demonstrated skill to proactively meet multiple deadlines and deal with interruptions and changing priorities; good concentration skills. Demonstrated skill to prioritize and organize workload.

  • Strong communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills to communicate effectively one-on-one or in group settings, taking into account differences in social, cultural, professional, and educational backgrounds. Ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students. Must manage people with patience, diplomacy, and tact. Ability to work closely and to coordinate effectively with other departmental and campus staff.

  • Skill to read and understand equipment manuals to troubleshoot malfunctions in various lab instruments. Skills and knowledge to perform simple repairs, such as replacing fuses, bulbs, adjusting moving parts, soldering connectors etc.

  • Ability to run complex laboratory instrumentation. Must be able to troubleshoot and perform minor repairs and maintain instruments in good working order.

  • Skills to supervise and train student workers and other lab staff as necessary.

  • Ability to teach students and teaching assistants how to operate complex instrumentation such as programmable gas chromatographs, NMR, FT-IR, and UV-visible spectrometers.

  • Ability to evaluate emergency situations including: chemical spills; required evacuations; potential fire or explosion hazards; toxic, corrosive, or reactive hazards; and when to administer first aid.

  • Knowledge and skills to do library research and extrapolate techniques related to various chemistry curriculums; skill to enhance course instruction.

  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and diverse working environment, with the ability to work as a part of a diverse and collaborative team. Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

  • Skill to operate a personal computer and demonstrated knowledge of databases, general computer applications, and programs including word processing and spreadsheets. Willingness and ability to update and increase computer skills and knowledge as needed.

  • Background Check required.

Job offer is contingent on successful engagement in the UC COVID-19 Vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral).

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://www-hr.ucsd.edu/saa/nondiscr.html

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.


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