Position descriptionThe NSF ExFAB BioFoundry ("ExFAB") is user facility dedicated to developing and applying novel automated workflows to learn, prototype, and translate biology from unusual microbes into new biotechnologies. ExFAB's focus is on the microbes that do not conform to standard growth habits and culture conditions or defy our current understanding of biology yet possess traits (e.g. pathways, proteins and structures) that biotechnology should harness. The ExFAB facilities span three campuses: UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside and Cal Poly Pomona. The UCSB facility features a first of-its-kind anaerobic chamber.
The ExFAB Automation Specialist is responsible for collaborating with ExFAB facility users (including both internal and external academics, as well as industry and national laboratories) in developing and performing research experiments that leverage ExFAB's automated systems - from bioprospecting new functions to realizing microbial synthetic biology. In particular, the Automation Specialist will interface with users and lead all aspects of programming, testing, and optimizing ExFAB's integrated automation platforms, many of which are contained in an anaerobic enclosure. It is expected that substantive scientific scholarly papers and conference presentations regularly result from these collaborations, as well as novel workflows for manipulating microbes and microbial communities. This will further result in published protocols and workflows that can be utilized by the broader microbiology research community. The ExFAB Automation Specialist is expected to represent ExFAB at relevant academic conferences and to identify and seek supplemental extramural funding, as appropriate. This role involves managing platforms and instrumentation for growth, phenotyping, nucleic assay preparation, and microbial transformation.
Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 3-5 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in a relevant field with 1+ year of relevant experience (automation, computation, etc.).
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Computation experience (coding, editing existing code)
Experience in developing automation workflows that recapitulate wet-lab experiments (for biology or otherwise)
Employment at the Associate Specialist level may be considered for applicants with a Master's degree or with at least 5 years of experience in Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Employment at the Full Specialist level may be considered for applicants with a PhD or with at least 10 years of experience in Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Preferred qualifications Basic knowledge of cell biology and biomolecular characterization techniques
Strong understanding of biology and microbiology, including proteomics, metabolomics, phenotyping and genetics
Demonstrated communication and organization skills to prioritize coordination of multiple assignments/projects/deadlines simultaneously with minimal direction
Evidence of flexibility and initiative when working within a fast-paced, changing environment
Management of multiple projects in both team-oriented collaborations and independent ownership
Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Excellent written communication skills
Master's or PhD Degree in related field.
Application RequirementsDocument requirements - Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter
- Statement of Research - Please include relevant experience with automation and computational (coding, editing of existing code, etc.) experience.
Reference requirements- 3-5 required (contact information only)
References will be checked after interviews for the top two candidates. We will contact you before we reach out to references.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03174
Help contact: alexis_torres@ucsb.edu
Job location Santa Barbara, CA
