Job Details

LAB ASSISTANT 2 - Thellman Lab

Position Number: 6331779
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

LAB ASSISTANT 2 - Thellman Lab

University of California Santa Barbara

Job Posting Details

Position Number: 41183892

Payroll Title: Lab Assistant 2

Job Code: 009603

Job Open Date: 06/27/2025

Application Review Begins: 07/15/2025; open until filled

Department Code (Name): EEMB (ECOLOGICAL BIOLOGY)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): TX (Technical 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 hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $22.11 - $23.40/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. The full hourly range for this position is $22.11 - $26.05/hr.

Work Location: Noble Hall 2234

Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8:00am-5:00pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Special Instructions:

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

Department Marketing Statement:

In the Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Marine Biology we study how living organisms interact with their environments and with each other, shaping and being shaped by the world around them. Our research interests span biological scales from the physiology and morphology of the individual, to the behavior of groups, to the functioning of ecosystems. We examine how organisms function in their present environments, how they have been shaped by their evolutionary past, and how they may adapt to a changing world. By addressing basic scientific questions, we lay the foundational knowledge for addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental issues. We're fortunate to be based directly on the California coast, allowing us to conduct research and teach in a myriad of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments including the oceanic and coastal Pacific, estuarine, subtidal and intertidal marine coastal ecosystems, and mountain, chaparral, oak woodland, desert, island, and coastal terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

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

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Lab Assistant 2 assists the PI, post-docs, and graduate students, or other trainees with research work, both in the lab and in the field. Is responsible for a variety of biogeochemical wet Laboratory techniques including gas chromatography, nutrient analysis on a discrete analyzer, and fluorometric methods to measure algae and freshwater solutes. Is also responsible for performing field work locally (within 50 miles of Santa Barbara) and occasionally internationally, funding dependent. Fieldwork usually consists of taking water quality samples and or installing sensors in water bodies. In addition to fieldwork and lab work duties, the Lab Assistant 2 will be responsible for supply ordering, maintenance of inventory, maintenance of the lab group website, and upkeep of data and computational workflows according to laboratory protocols. The Lab Assistant 2 will be expected to report at least bi-weekly to the PI on activities, and at least quarterly to the lab. If desired, the Lab Assistant 2 will have the opportunity to mentor or oversee undergraduate students working in the lab on independent study or for pay.

Required Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and three years of laboratory/field experience OR two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and two years of laboratory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Ability to work independently.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Good communication skills.
Proficient in the use of Mac/PC computers and applications (e.g. Word, Excel).
Demonstrate flexibility during the performance of job duties

Special Conditions of Employment:

Flexible schedule, including nights & weekends, dependent on fieldwork schedule.
Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies and procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
Satisfactory conviction 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% Wet laboratory work - Maintains and develops protocols for running freshwater nutrient and gas samples on analytical equipment. Runs routine samples on appropriate analytical machines; assists trainees with running samples.
30% Fieldwork - Arranges transportation to and collects data from field sites either from physical water samples or from installed sensors located near freshwater bodies. Fieldwork locations will vary depending on funding.
25% Lab Maintenance - Orders supplies for lab and fieldwork. Maintains equipment, including sensors. Performs other administrative tasks as requested by PI.
5% Data analysis - Performs basic data analysis of chemistry data using Excel or programming language.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations 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, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*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 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.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.

To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucsb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=79369&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=31&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant