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Jr Specialist/Assistant Specialist – Immunology – Molecular and Cell Biology

Job #JPF05310
  • Molecular & Cell Biology / College of Letters & Science - Biological Sciences / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Position title: Jr/Assistant Specialist
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 24b for the current salary scale(s) for this series. A reasonable full-time estimate for this position is $55,000 –$63,500.
Percent time: 100
Anticipated start: Spring 2026
Position duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: March 12, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Apr 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Molecular & Cell Biology Department at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Junior to Assistant Specialist in the Thomas Mann Lab, in the area of immunology. The Mann Lab studies signal transduction in T cells during the response to cancer and viral infection.

The candidate will primarily function as a lab manager and will take on research tasks over time. The candidate will work as a core member of multiple teams in the lab, mentoring undergraduate students, and coordinating with senior members of lab to help on large projects. As the candidate gains experience, they will gradually be tasked with more research duties, including conducting experiments directly under the guidance of the PI. The candidate will be expected to present work within the lab frequently but informally.

Responsibilities:

The candidate will perform essential lab management functions on a day-to-day basis. Tasks include:

• mouse colony management
• interaction with veterinary staff
• coordinating undergraduate researchers to help as a team
• ordering supplies for lab
• maintaining stocks of essential reagents
• assist senior researchers on large animal experiments

As the candidate progresses, their research duties may increase. A research project on the T cell response to viruses and cancer would require the candidate to:

• conduct experiments under the PI's direction
• collect and analyze data from cell culture or animal models
• present data informally but frequently in meetings
• other relevant technical skills include flow cytometry, PCR/molecular biology, analysis using Microsoft Excel and/or GraphPad Prism

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrollment in a Bachelor’s (or equivalent international degree) program
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent international degree) by the appointment start date
Preferred qualifications
  • 1+ year of research experience concurrent with or after Bachelor’s degree
  • Strong experience working with mice and collecting cells from tissues
  • Cell culture, including working with primary cells
  • Knowledge of and experience with T cell immunology
  • Basic background in cell biology molecular biology
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Organizational task skills
  • Excellent team working skills

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Stament of research

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05310

Help contact: tmann@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley 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, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

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.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Job location

Berkeley, CA