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Junior/Assistant Specialist - Molecular and Cell Biology

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Position overview

Salary range: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Fall 2022
Position duration: The initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Position description

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Junior/Assistant Specialist in the Ünal Lab, in the areas of stress response, gene regulation, translation termination, and chromatin biology. Ünal Lab studies the principles and regulation of meiotic differentiation using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a primary model system. The lab aims to understand: (1) how the essential meiotic processes that drive cellular rejuvenation are controlled by the meiotic transcriptional program, (2) how meiotic cells ensure that age-associated damage such as protein aggregates and dysfunctional organelles are prevented from being transmitted to subsequent progeny.

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to participate in a project investigating the translational readthrough of proteins containing poly-glutamine (polyQ) domains in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PolyQ regions can act as “slippery sequences” for ribosomes, altering faithful in-frame translation of mRNA to peptide chains. Preliminary results from our lab suggest that translation termination is also impaired when a stop codon is within the polyQ-encoded domain of a gene. The project will involve constructing various yeast strains with nonsense mutations in different polyQ- and non-polyQ-containing proteins, assaying readthrough phenotypes by immunoblotting and dissecting mechanism of translational readthrough in polyQ repeat proteins. Further investigation will involve techniques to investigate translation mechanisms at play, such as ribosome profiling.

The position additionally involves assisting with experiments for a publication that is in progress. This project, led by a graduate student in the lab, investigates the role of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in transcriptional interference. Transcriptional interference occurs when transcription traversing through a promoter from a neighboring locus inhibits transcription initiation. While diverse mechanisms can drive this interference at different affected loci, we have discovered a novel mechanism involving nucleosome remodeling by an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler complex. This project will involve performing chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, performing yeast growth assays, northern blotting, and assisting with manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree

Preferred qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology and research experience equivalent to completion of an Honor’s thesis in yeast molecular and cell biology. Experience in standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, qPCR, cloning, RNA and DNA extraction, chromatin immunoprecipitation) experience in yeast molecular genetics (transformation, tetrad dissection, serial dilution/frogging, standard yeast husbandry), immunoblotting, organizational skills (lab notebook, data storage & organization, familiarity with Jupyter notebook), planning and executing experiments independently, clear communication of observations, results, and experimental plans, proficiency with the following tools: Microsoft Excel, Adobe Illustrator, Prism GraphPad, Snapgene, and RefWorks

At least 12 months of full-time research experience, reviewing and dissecting scientific literature

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at Berkeley (for additional information go to https://ofew.berkeley.edu/recruitment/contributions-diversity).

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03674

Help contact: elcin@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley 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 the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, CA