Staff Research Associate 2

Payroll Title: SRA 2 NEX

Job Code: 009617

Job Open Date: 1/3/25

Application Review Begins: 1/21/25

Department Code (Name): MSII (MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): RX - Research Support Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $28.88 - $30.66/hr.

The full salary range for this position is $28.88 - $46.46/hr. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University.

Work Location: Marine Biology Lab - 2148

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: N/A

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Marine Science Institute ranks internationally as a leader in marine and environmental research. Its researchers stand at the forefront of their fields, regularly redefining our current knowledge of marine science and policy. Over 300 research projects funded by more than 80 awarding agencies with a value over $100 million in extramural and intramural funding are administered by MSI each year. Research at MSI spans 14 disciplines supporting research projects involving faculty, professional researchers, technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students. MSI provides educational outreach activities through the REEF (Research Experience and Education Facility) with 20,000 visitors annually.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC and why You Belong at UC.

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under general supervision of the Principal Investigator, uses resourcefulness and adaptability to contribute to the success of the lab's technical operations related to assessing the biodegradation of polymers in the marine environment. Executes analyses using established laboratory procedures and utilizes scientific expertise to modify procedures as needed. Works independently to supervise, assign tasks, and provide research support to student staff. May participate in research on sea-going research vessels. Responsible for coordination of data and material distribution across sites for a large multi-institution research project. Work performed is a wide variety of standard procedures without detailed technical supervision. Performs a limited variety of repetitive but highly specialized procedures, such as respirometry. May modify, vary or adapt standard procedures to meet the needs of research projects, or improve tests that are unsatisfactory, and after studying available literature, analyze and alter conditions under which determinations are made. Understanding and ability to teach the scientific principles underlying the research expected. Applies knowledge to assignments of moderate complexity. May provide technical support and subject matter expertise through project management responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Materials Science or a related field.
• 1-3 years experience working in a microbiology lab setting
• 1-3 years experience in the design and execution of respirometry experiments and use of gas-source respirometers
• 1-3 years experience in basic material characterization including powder XRD, FTIR and SEM

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years experience with project management using the task management software Asana

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Maintain a valid CA driver's license, a clean DMV record and enrollment in the DMV Employer Pull-Notice Program
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

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 allegation 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

40% Experimental Design & Execution

Design and conduct complex experiments using lab-based (respirometry, flow-through seawater) or field-based (in situ degradation studies) without technical supervision, including adapting or modifying experimental procedures to meet the research project's needs, troubleshooting unsatisfactory results, and establishing new conditions based on data analysis, personal expertise, and literature search.

20% Sample Analysis

Analyze samples or prepare samples for outside analysis for a variety of material and elemental property characterizations.

15% Data Analysis

Analyze the results of experiments and prepare graphical presentations for discussion and dissemination.

10% Project Management

Ensures all data and procedures across the project are documented on shared servers, arrange meetings across the project, update website as needed. Participates in project-wide meetings. May require out of state or international travel.

5% Participates in Field research - Participates in sample collection at sea or on a coastal research vessel.

10% Personnel supervision - Supervises undergraduate researchers.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information:

UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information

University of California Policy on Vaccinations

* Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
UC Santa Barbara 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, age or protected veteran status.

For more information:

University of California's Affirmative Action Policy

University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy

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