Junior/Assistant Specialist- Lipid Biology and Metabolic Disease- Nutritional Science and Toxicology

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t24-b.pdf A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 -$70,700.

Percent time:
100

Anticipated start:
Fall 2025

Position duration:
One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

The University of California, Berkeley, seeks applications for a Junior/Assistant Specialist in the Olzmann Lab in the departments of Nutritional Science & Toxicology and Molecular & Cell Biology, in the area of lipid biology.

The Olzmann Lab is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior/Assistant Specialist to join our dynamic research team. Our lab studies the cell biology of lipid metabolism, with a focus on lipid droplets, lipid storage diseases, and lipotoxicity. We use a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemistry, cell biology, functional genomics, advanced imaging, and in vivo physiological models.

This position exists to support a project investigating a previously uncharacterized factor involved in the regulation of hepatocellular lipid storage and secretion. This research aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms by which cells control lipid homeostasis and how their dysregulation contributes to Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The project will utilize a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including mouse models of metabolic disease, to investigate the molecular function of this newly identified regulatory factor in hepatocellular lipid storage and secretion, and its role in liver disease pathogenesis.

The successful candidate will work closely with postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, performing experiments in cultured cells and mouse models, analyzing lipid metabolism phenotypes in both in vitro and in vivo systems, contributing to studies of mouse physiological and disease models of liver lipid metabolism, and assisting with general lab operations. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in gaining research experience before pursuing graduate or medical school, or for those seeking to contribute to impactful biomedical research in a collaborative academic environment.

As part of the broader UC Berkeley research community, the position will have access to resources and collaborations across multiple departments, including Molecular and Cell Biology and Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology departments.

Specific job duties:

1. Perform in vivo experiments using mouse models of metabolic disease, including:
   * Animal handling, genotyping, and colony management.
   * Performing metabolic assays (e.g., glucose tolerance tests, liver lipid quantification).
   * Tissue harvesting, processing, and analysis (e.g., histology, immunostaining, lipidomics).
2. Conduct in vitro cell-based assays to study hepatocellular lipid storage and secretion:
   * Culture and maintenance of primary hepatocytes and immortalized cell lines.
   * Perform genetic perturbation (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi) and lipid metabolism assays.
   * Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis of lipid droplet dynamics and lipid trafficking.
3. Assist with molecular biology and biochemistry workflows:
   * Cloning, plasmid preparation, and transfection.
   * Protein extraction, immunoblotting (Western blot), and immunoprecipitation.
   * Quantitative PCR and RNA isolation.
4. Coordinate with collaborators and team members to support project goals:
   * Work closely with postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to plan and execute experiments.
   * Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures and data.
   * Participate in regular lab meetings to discuss experimental results and troubleshoot.
5. Lab operations and maintenance duties:
   * Assist with ordering reagents, managing lab inventories, and maintaining equipment.
   * Ensure compliance with lab safety protocols and animal care regulations.
   * Support general laboratory upkeep and organization.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree).

Preferred qualifications

* Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology techniques, including molecular cloning, PCR, bacterial transformation, and flow cytometry.

* Experience with mouse models of liver lipid metabolism, as well as in vitro cell-based assays and lipid analysis.

* Experience with biochemistry methods such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC).

* Proficiency in histological techniques, including tissue processing, sectioning, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF).

* Extensive experience with mammalian cell culture and stem cell culture, including experimental design and functional assays.

* Hands-on experience in mouse colony management, including breeding, PCR-based genotyping, and phenotypic characterization.

* Experience performing mouse tail vein injections for in vivo studies.

* Expertise in CRISPR-based genetic engineering, including design and implementation of genome editing strategies.

* Specialized expertise in lipid metabolism, including lipoprotein metabolism and analysis of lipid metabolism-related proteins.

* Experience with lipid droplets, lipid storage, and the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

* Familiarity with techniques for in vitro and in vivo analysis of lipid metabolism and lipid-associated disorders.

* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in experimental design and data interpretation.

* Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

* A publication record in peer-reviewed journals relevant to molecular biology, biochemistry, or lipid metabolism.

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link:
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05094

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.

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

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