Job Details

Research Assistant

Position Number: 6585418
Location: Seaside, CA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research Assistant

University Corporation at Monterey Bay

Salary: $20.00 - $24.00 Hourly

Job Number: 2025-00037

Location: CSUMB Main Campus- Seaside, CA

Department: Biology & Chemistry

Description

Research Assistant

Department of Biology and Chemistry

Priority Screening Deadline: September 30, 2025, all positions are open until filled

The University Corporation at Monterey Bay ("Corporation"): The Corporation is constantly looking for motivated employees with great organization and teamwork skills to join our team. The Corporation is a non-profit institution that is related and affiliated with the California State University, Monterey Bay. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefits corporation that is a recognized auxiliary organization of California State University and was established in July 1994. The University Corporation's mission is to further the educational purposes of the University.

The University: California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California's Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation's largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year. With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students' lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB's sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The Community: Monterey, with its moderate Mediterranean climate, is a diverse community on the picturesque central coast of California and rich in agriculture. Miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and scenic valleys are characteristics that contribute to the quality of life enjoyed by over 432,000 residents and millions of visitors. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, Laguna Seca Raceway, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals and Pebble Beach - possibly the world's most famous golf course, it's easy to see why so many choose to live here and an estimated four million visitors a year make the County of Monterey their destination of choice.

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of a grant-funded research project on Integrated Pest Management to assess the effectiveness of field bioreactor systems seeded with pesticide bioremediating bacteria to remove pesticides from agricultural waste waters, we are seeking a research technician to assist in the execution and management of this project. The successful candidate will be part of a collaborative team with undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty at CSU Monterey Bay.

The research technician will be based in the Genetic, Genomics, and Bioinformatics lab for Dr. Nate Jue (https://csumb.edu/juelab/). The position is full time and benefits eligible. There will be approximately 1-1.5 year(s) of funding, depending on an annual review. In addition to the core project, the candidate will also have the opportunity and responsibility to support other projects in the lab related to pesticide bioremediation and side projects in functional, evolutionary, and ecological genomics. It is anticipated that this position would best suit an individual with a Bachelor's or Master's degree and are considering a career and/or graduate degree in the biological sciences. There will be opportunities for publishing, professional development and networking.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

The research technician will oversee general lab operations, along with the PI, for the Jue Lab, assist and help lead field experiments and bioreactor construction efforts, maintain bioreactor sites and field equipment, culture bacterial strains, manage and process samples, apply molecular biological methods to generate genetic data, and analyze and manage data. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for managing, mentoring and working with student researchers. The candidate is expected to work in agricultural field settings despite acclimate weather if necessary.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Performs other duties as assigned.
Attend workshops or conference as asked
Mentor and manage student researchers

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and field setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to verbally communicate to exchange information.

WORK LOCATION

On-Site Position
Work Location: Chapman Science Academic Center, CSUMB, Seaside, CA 93955; Salinas Valley agricultural region.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Background in biology.
Molecular biology and microbiology lab skills.
Experience with field research.
Professional research skills.
Lab management.
Skilled with tools and experience with minor construction. Familiarity with coding and R-based data analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in the biological sciences or related field.
Lab experience in microbiology or bacteriology.
Experience with molecular genetic/genomic methods.
Experience with conducting research and working in a collaborative environment.
Due to field work component, the candidate must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in both lab and field research.
Competent with power tools and basic woodworking skills.
Computational and/or data management skills (i.e. programming, database management, and/or statistical analysis).
Experience managing a lab or working in a well-managed lab.
Capable science writer
A willingness to mentor students
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the CSUMB Vision Statement and the core values of mutual respect, collaboration and service orientation, multiculturalism and diversity, community service and institutional excellence.

Special Conditions of Employment

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the University Corporation. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the University Corporation at Monterey Bay is concerned about the conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the fair chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.

This position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to victims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking as required by CSU Executive Order 1095.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, The University Corporation at Monterey Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.

Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy.

We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Please note: University Corporation employment is separate and distinct from CSU Monterey Bay or State of California employment. University Corporation employees are not employees of either CSUMB or of the state of California.

All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S. The University Corporation is not a sponsoring agency for any positions.

University Corporation at Monterey Bay positions are "at-will" employment.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

The campus leadership has committed the resources needed to achieve an engaged, safe, and in-person experience. The health and safety of our community remain our highest priority, and we are confident that existing public health measures provide for a safe environment capable of delivering a complete college experience on the CSUMB campus. Being an Otter means caring for each other and doing your part to protect your community.

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State University, Monterey Bay Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at https://csumb.edu/clery.

Sensitive Positions - This position has been designated as a sensitive position with:

responsibility for the care, safety and security of people (including children and minors), animals and CSU property
responsibility for operating commercial vehicles, machinery or equipment that could pose environmental hazards or cause injury, illness, or death

Special License or Certifications and Conditions:

Must possess and maintain a valid license to drive in the State of California, pass the Defensive Training Class, and be insurable under the University's liability coverage.
May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.

Questions can be sent to: hr_corporation@csumb.edu.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The University Corporation is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students, and the customers we serve. Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department's fiscal resources. Our salary schedule is available here.

The hourly hiring range for this position is $20 - $24. Classification: Grade 4, Staff. This is a non-exempt position and as such is eligible for the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Corporation offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits, contributory retirement plan, TSA (403b), and other benefits. Please review our benefits guide (Download PDF reader) for details about sick time, vacation, and holidays.

The Corporation also offers access to CSUMB's Faculty & Staff Meal Plans, which offers convenience, value, flexibility, to our all-you-can-to-eat dining commons, showcasing eight brand new dining concepts for an affordable price.

The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable campus housing: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing

Although CSUMB is located in a high-cost housing area, Schoonover Park rental homes are affordably priced. Monthly rent rates include cable television, garbage service, and sewer. Convenient floorplans, attractive interior appointments, and numerous community amenities make Schoonover Park Rental Homes an exceptional value. Schoonover Park is near the main campus, yet a tranquil world away. The community lies nestled in the secluded beauty of rolling coastal hills three miles east of campus. Living in one of the most desirable areas of California, you will enjoy the natural splendor and cultural abundance of the Monterey Peninsula. Quality of life begins with your home in Schoonover Park and extends through every aspect of your California coastal lifestyle. https://www.schoonoverparkapartments.com

How to apply:

All prospective applicants must apply online. You must complete the entire application for submission. We only accept applications for the open positions listed. Please do not fax or mail in a printed version of the electronic applications or a resume in lieu of an application. If you are having difficulty applying or need assistance, please call (831) 582-3389. All positions are open until filled. The completed online application and resume must be submitted by 5:00 pm PST on the priority screening date. Applications received after this date will be reviewed at the discretion of the Corporation.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/csumb/jobs/5087517/research-assistant

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