Microbial Genetics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan , which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride .
Departmental Overview
The Arkin Lab ( https://arkinlab.bio ), as part of the PROTECT ( https://protect.berkeley.edu/ ) program, seeks a SRA to help develop innovative approaches to build on our recent successes developing new synbiotic technology combining probiotics and prebiotics to prevent respiratory infections. It aims to restore healthy lung bacteria and block harmful pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
We are looking for innovative ways to further improve the efficiency of this system and ways to expand the scope to other airway-associated indications. Applicants with a background in microbial genetics or metabolic engineering or synthetic biology and an interest in joining an interactive, collaborative program, are invited to apply.
Position Summary
The Arkin Lab at UC-Berkeley is seeking a highly motivated, curious, and skilled Staff Research Associate 2 interested in engineering the cyanobacterium spirulina for space biomanufacturing applications as part of the Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space. The Arkin Lab uses systems and synthetic biology approaches to understand and engineer bacteria and their consortia in a range of environments and applications. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to engineering Spirulina to produce pharmaceuticals, materials, and food products for space applications.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is August 10, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
20%

• Maintain culture collection maintenance and request fulfillment.

20%

• Optimize media growth.

10%

• Genetically engineer target bacterial species.

10%

• Assist with translational good manufacturing practices.

10%

• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers.

10%

• Participate in lab meetings, project discussions, and collaborative research projects.

10%

• Assist in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in high-impact scientific journals.

10%

• Present research findings to the lab.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in genetic engineering and molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with tissue culture.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with cyanobacterial systems is a plus.
• Proficiency in biochemical and quantitative chemical techniques.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or a related field and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

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 hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $32.77 (Step 1) - $52.71 (Step 25).

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Othe r Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• 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

Misconduct
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
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.