Meyer Lab Technician

Lab Assistant

The CALeDNA citizen science environmental DNA program is conducting research projects with the National Park Service and other natural areas managers to identify and map biodiversity across the country. The full-time Lab Assistant assists with research projects, generates environmental DNA data, and learns and participates in analyses and writing. The Lab Assistant will also be the safety captain and manage frozen environmental sample collections as research resources. Occasionally, the Lab Assistant will work with other members of the UCSC Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department for cross-training and to help each other, and will attend professional development activities.

We are looking for someone who wants to go into molecular evolution or ecology research and build experience that will help them prepare for graduate school, natural resource management, industry, or not-for-profit research. The incumbent will be working on a very special project with the National Park Service to help them detect aquatic invasive species from eDNA. For this project, responsibilities include sequencing and assembling organellar genomes from plants and animals, and designing qPCR primers for eDNA surveillance. Under the supervision by Rachel Meyer, the incumbent will serve as a member of a research team collecting environmental DNA for biodiversity, ecology, and earth science topics. The incumbent will help maintain the laboratory, help to train new researchers and visiting researchers, help to informatically analyze data and manage sample collections. The incumbent will scale up social media presence, handle the logistics of workshop organization, and assist with planning bioblitzes and other outreach activities focused on eDNA. The incumbent will spend 100% of their time at UCSC Coastal Biology Building.

Appointment Information

• Budgeted Salary: $25.78/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
• Schedule Information: Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day
• Employee Classification: Career appointment
• Job End Date: None
• Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus
• Union Representation: TX, Technical
• Job Code Classification: LAB AST 2 (009603)
• Travel: Never or Rarely

Job Duties

• 30% - Sample Processing: Responsible for sample organization, DNA extraction, metabarcoding, and DNA library preparation. Works with the Paleogenomics Lab team to sequence samples and promptly save the data once available. Inventories the supplies consumed and restocks the lab when needed.
• 30% - Training and Community Engagement: Demonstrates all sample processing steps and helps undergraduate and graduate students and visiting researchers learn to use lab equipment safely. Keeps the supplies stocked and in their proper place, and takes care of equipment to maintain safety. Runs Bioblitzes, which are group outdoor excursions to collect eDNA samples. Recruits volunteers to be citizen scientists in the Bioblitz, leads hikes, trains volunteers in sample collection and iNaturalist use, and helps keep people safe and together.
• 25% - Data Processing and Analysis: Conducts informatics research on eDNA data using Linux and high performance servers, which includes using the Anacapa Toolkit. Uses these products for community ecology analyses in R, including for example, the packages VEGAN, Phyloseq, and SpIEC-EASI. Writes reports of the methods, results, and interpretation.
• 15% - Administrative and Communications Support: Contributes to blog posts such as text and photos to the Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and CALeDNA web pages. Helps curate content so it is accurate and updated. Assists the Genomics Institute in developing content and communications that elevate the Genomics Institute – eDNA work profile. Assists with travel and meeting activities, helps manage receipts and reimbursements, and assists with other tasks related to research administration.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology or other related field or a combination of equivalent training and/or experience.
• Competency to make DNA libraries.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, good judgment and discretion.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of social media platforms.
• Strong problem solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic skills in R and Linux.
• Completion of Molecular Ecology BIOE 137 Lecture and Lab, or equivalent.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to walk and/or hike outdoors for extended amount of time.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.

Safety Statement

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

Notice of Availability

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.