Salary and Benefits

PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $3,292.00 per month to $3,375.00 per month (30 hours/week, 0.75FTE).

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver.

For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

This position may be eligible to participate in the Cal State East Bay hybrid telecommute program subject to management approval. 

Classification

Research Technician II

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.

About the Position

This is a grant funded, temporary and part-time (30 hours per week) position through June 30, 2025 with the possibility of reappointment. 

The Research Technician II will perform experimental procedures in a research laboratory in close coordination with the Principal Investigator. This position is funded by an NIH grant and suitable for candidates with interest or experience in Drosophila behavioral genetics, with a focus on sleep, feeding, and wakefulness. The project requires a significant background and experience in advanced microscopy, so familiarity with tissue processing, staining, mounting and imaging is required.  This position will conduct research in a collaborative environment with an appreciation for lab safety and an environment that values equity, inclusion and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Actively conducts experiments and analysis including but not limited to experimental design, literature review, data collection, analysis, equipment set-up and maintenance. Performs advanced neuronal imaging using calcium, voltage and fluorescence indicators using confocal and live imaging microscopes. Trains other undergraduate students and MS students in dissecting, staining and imaging samples.
• Conducts behavioral assays for experiments in close coordination with the supervisor. These include sleep assays using Drosophila Activity monitoring and video recording systems, feeding studies using published approaches and ability to modify protocols as needed for the research study. Sets up animal behavior research experiments, including lights, cameras, and designing needed 3D printed parts. Develops analysis and tracking programs for complex behavioral data sets.
• Performs data entry, and maintains data files on research, newly developed protocols and assists with manuscript preparation. Helps PI with annual grant reports.
• Maintains Drosophila lines (live fly cultures), prepares fly food of varying compositions and performs genetic crosses. Prepare reagents, chemically defined Drosophila media and rear multiple transgenic fly lines. Sorts flies based on genotypes and breeds flies for experiments. Dissects and stains fly brains. Analyzes data analysis using Excel, Graphpad Prism and R. Assists Principal Investigator with identifying the right consumables and equipment for ordering.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in technical research or statistical work in the collection, compilation, and analysis of data.
• Graduate study in the social sciences, economics, mathematics, statistics, public or business administration or engineering may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis.

Education:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university.
• Additional experience which has demonstrated that the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities delineated above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of research techniques, including the planning of studies and investigations, determining variables, developing bibliographical and other sources of data, and preparation of research reports.
• General knowledge of statistical principles and procedures, including methods of collecting statistical data, simple correlation methods, time series analyses, analysis of frequency series, sampling techniques, and construction of index numbers.
• General knowledge of sources of information on social, economic, and population trends in California.
• Ability to prepare questionnaires and other survey instruments.
• Ability to gather, compile, and analyze research data, and to present data in tabular, graphic, and pictorial form, ability to prepare and work clear and comprehensive reports.
• Capacity for independent and creative thinking and writing on research and statistical problems.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of a small team.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Immunohistochemistry (staining brain tissue samples for microscopy).
• Proficiency in using stereo microscopes, fluorescence and confocal microscopes.
• Animal behavior research (including set up of behavioral set-ups, knowledge of acrylic molding for designing 3D printed parts).
• Drosophila genetics (Ability to sort flies based on genotypes and breed flies for experiments).
• Ability to dissect and prepare fly brain samples for imaging.
• Ability to prepare reagents, chemically defined Drosophila media (biweekly) and rear multiple transgenic fly lines.
• Data analysis using excel, Graphpad Prism and R.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to independently conduct assays and analysis to accomplish the specific aims of the project.
• Ability to collaborate with PI and train other undergraduate students in the lab to progress towards the grant's goals.
• Interest and experience working with insect neuroanatomy quantitative animal and human behavior.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate with PI and train other undergraduate students in the lab to progress towards the grant's goals. 

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment.  Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Cal State East Bay does not discriminate on the basis of any protected categories: age, ancestry, citizenship, color, disability, gender, immigration status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran's status. The University is committed to the principles of diversity in employment and to creating a stimulating learning environment for its diverse student body.

Other Information

All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free.  For more information, please visit our website here.

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, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available here. 

Sponsorship

Cal State East Bay is not a sponsoring agency for Staff or Management positions and we are not an E-Verify employer.

Mandated Reporter

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 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.