Junior Specialist in Microbiology
Position overview
Position title: Junior Specialist in Microbiology
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled,
Represented Specialist Series Fiscal Year. A salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000-$60,700.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.
Application Window
Open date: July 8, 2026
Next review date: Friday, Aug 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 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 Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position Junior Specialist in Microbiology. Under the direction of Professor Vicki Auerbuch Stone, the junior specialist will contribute to a research investigating how bacterial pathogens sense and respond to host tissue environments to precisely regulate virulence factors during infection.
Duties will include molecular cloning in bacteria, preparation of samples for next-generation sequencing, and mouse colony maintenance. The candidate will also make contributions to lab management by ordering equipment and supplies, generating reagents, and ensuring lab compliance with safety and animal welfare regulations. The junior specialist will be expected to be part of an inclusive and supportive team of students, staff, and faculty.
Applicants with any or all of the following areas of experience are strongly encouraged to apply: familiarity with basic molecular biology methods and/or previous experience with mouse handling and dissection.
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
Auerbuch Stone Lab: https://auerbuchstonelab.sites.ucsc.edu/
Microbiology & Env Toxicology Dept: https://science.ucsc.edu/department/metx/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)
B.S. (or equivalent foreign degree) in biological sciences, biological sciences, biochemistry or a closely related field.
A minimum of six months' full-time or twelve months' part-time research experience (research experience can be obtained while pursuing B.S. or post award of degree).
Application Requirements
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your research interests, qualifications and interest in the position.
Statement of Research (Optional)
Reference requirements
-
3-5 required (contact information only)
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
- All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement.
Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02128
Help contact: [email protected]
About UC Santa Cruz
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.
- “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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at
[email protected] or (831) 459-4602.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.
UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
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.
VISIT UC Santa Cruz
Job location
Santa Cruz, CA
To apply, visit https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02128
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