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Staff Research Associate (9612C) - 71923

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Neuroscience, which will be launched in July 2024, will advance the understanding of brain, mind, and behavior through research, education and training. Our faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and postdoctoral researchers study how the brain functions in health and disease, how it generates behavior and thought, and how it computes. We investigate the nervous system on levels ranging from molecules and cells, to neural circuits and systems, to behavior and cognition, to neural computation. We also develop neurotechnology and explore the impacts of neuroscience on society.

Position Summary

Responsible for assisting in a research project to understand how GWAS-nominated risk genes for Parkinson's Disease affect dopamine neuron biology in mouse models. This project is part of a collaborative research team that is investigating the functional genomics of Parkinson's disease. Our goal is to understand the genetic risk factors that lead to sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease, and how changes in the expression of these genes affect the dopamine system in mice.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 09/04/2024.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments to test whether manipulating candidate genes in cultured neurons or in mice using CRISPRi/a affects dopamine neuron morphology, survival, and behavioral output.


• Manage the transgenic mouse colony for the project (breeding, weaning, animal ID, genotyping, and database management).


• Perform immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging of mouse brain sections.


• Perform intracranial stereotaxic injections in mice (inject viruses expressing sgRNAs into the midbrain).


• Perform behavioral analysis of mouse models (open field test, rotarod test, gait analysis).
  Test candidate sgRNAs in cultured neurons and cell lines (transfect primary neuronal cultures or cell lines with sgRNAs against genes of interest and check for efficacy using q-PCR and western blotting).

Required Qualifications

• Experience working with transgenic mice and maintaining a mouse colony.


• Experience with molecular biology approaches including PCR and cloning.


• Experience handling mice.


• Bachelor's degree Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology or related field and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cell culture and sterile technique.


• Experience with immunostaining and imaging, knowledge of brain anatomy.


• Experience with mouse behavior testing.


• Experience with stereotaxic injections in mice.


• Master's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology or related field and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for UC 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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $60,245.54 (Step 1) - $72,003.03 (Step 10).

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html

• This is not a visa opportunity.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the https://apptrkr.com/get_redirect.php?id=5561416&targetURL=U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.


To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=71923&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant