DESCRIPTION

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 a non-research related position working with a team of laboratory staff to prepare materials for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. This position will work closely with a course Faculty Instructor to provide sole technical support for designated undergraduate lab classes, and should be able to independently run experiments.

The Staff Research Associate 2 works independently to ensure the department teaching laboratory courses run in a safe and smooth manner. Responsible for keeping teaching laboratories stocked with all of the chemicals and other necessary supplies required so students can perform their scheduled experiments on time. Responsible for training faculty and teaching assistants on analytical instruments and experimental set-ups. Responsible for the operation and management of the teaching labs, including but not limited to: consulting on the purchases of new instrumentation; training student workers, developing new experiments and curriculum, running various equipment; supervising the chemistry stockroom, requesting repairs, ensuring the labs are in safe working condition, and promoting 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Proven work experience in an academic institution or scientific environment.

• 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; familiarity with the campus safety procedures.

• 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 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.

• Ability to run complex laboratory instrumentation such as programmable gas chromatographs, NMR, FT-IR, UV-visible, and GC-Mass Spectroscopy Instruments. Must be able to troubleshoot and perform minor repairs and maintenance.

• 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.

• Demonstrated experience with a wide range of computer software including databases, spreadsheets, word processing, World Wide Web, and email programs to correspond, create reports and manipulate data. Willingness and ability to update and increase computer skills and knowledge as needed.

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

• Ability to work independently, exercising initiative and good judgment. Must organize/prioritize work to accomplish duties to meet weekly deadlines without supervision.

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

• 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.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Background Check required.