Staff Research Associate 3

Position Number: 40034490

Payroll Title: SRA 3 (009611)

Job Code: 009611

Job Open Date: 09/16/25

Application Review Begins: 10/01/25

Department Code (Name): MSII (MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): RX

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $66,431.27 to $76,331.50/year. 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 salary range for this position is $66,431.27 to $106,830.32/year.

Work Location: MSRB 1011 & 1009

Working Days and Hours: Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: N/A

Special Instructions:

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

Department Marketing Statement:

The Marine Science Institute ranks internationally as a leader in marine and environmental research. Its researchers stand at the forefront of their fields, regularly redefining our current knowledge of marine science and policy. Over 300 research projects funded by more than 80 awarding agencies with a value over $100 million in extramural and intramural funding are administered by MSI each year. Research at MSI spans 14 disciplines supporting research projects involving faculty, professional researchers, technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students.

The MSI Analytical Laboratory is critical to the overall mission of the Institute, providing analytical expertise and services to the internal and external research community. The services offered include seawater nutrients and Elemental (CHN) analysis, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content in solid materials, and stable isotopes of C, N and S.

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:

Set up and maintain quality control & quality assurance program for chemical analyses. Independently manages entire projects from start to finish, which includes coordinating directly with researcher investigators, receiving, processing, analyzing samples and producing analysis reports for on and off campus groups. Operates and maintains the analytical instrumentation, troubleshooting problems.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree Required in Chemistry, Biochemistry or other related scientific field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience operating and maintaining analytical chemistry instrumentation such as spectrophotometers, Gas Chromatography (GC) systems, Elemental Analyzers (EA), Flow Injection Analyzers (FIA), or Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS); familiar with chromatography, analytical instrumentation software, data processing and statistical analysis; knowledge of good laboratory technique and maintaining an organized work space. #LI-KA1
• 5+ years experience in an Analytical Chemistry laboratory setting. Knowledge of chemistry, with applied advanced knowledge in analytical chemistry instrumentation, methods and data QA/QC procedures.
• Strong computer skills, specifically with analytical instrumentation software.
• Ability to operate complex instrumentation under general guidelines and supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or applied advanced knowledge in related scientific field
• PhD or applied advanced knowledge in related scientific field
• Advanced knowledge of data analysis and statistics.
• Prior experience operating a Seal Analytical AA500 or Lachat Flow Injection Analyzer, CNS-EA IsoLink, Costech and Control Equipment Corporation Elemental Analyzers, CNH-GC IsoLink II for compound specific isotope analysis, Gas Bench Plus, Delta Q Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer; advanced knowledge of data analysis and statistics.
• Ability to oversee laboratory assistants and assist graduate students and researchers in the lab.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory criminal 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:

• 20% Analytical Instrumentation and Quality Control - Troubleshoots complex instrument malfunctions and provides solutions using applied advanced knowledge of analytical chemistry and a systematic approach. Evaluates information from a variety of sources and independently comes up with creative solutions. Consults with the lab manager, confers with instrument manufacturer engineers about repair strategies as needed. Performs maintenance procedures on the analytical instruments. Orders and maintains stock of spare parts and operating supplies as required. Based on working knowledge of Quality Control/Quality Assurance principles and expertise in analytical chemistry methods, develops and publishes a QC/QA plan specifically tailored for the MSI Analytical Lab. After development, maintains the plan with appropriate periodic updates.

• 70% Operation of Analytical Instrumentation - Responsible for chemical analyses of samples including CHN elemental analysis and FIA nutrient analysis. Participates in chemical and isotopic analyses of samples including CHN elemental analysis, FIA nutrient analysis and dC13, dN15, dS34 isotope analysis.

• 5% Tabulate Data/Prepare and Submit Analysis Reports - Transcribes and tabulates original analysis results using computer database programs. In accordance with QA plan, checks validity of data. Prepares analysis reports and transmits them to investigators.

• 5% Receive and Process Samples from Researchers - Receives samples shipped or submitted by research investigators. Logs samples into database system assuring sample integrity and that all necessary information has been supplied. Sees that they are properly handled and stored prior to preparation for analysis. Prepares unused samples for return shipment to investigators as required.

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.

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