Biology Teaching Laboratories Supervisor

Insert text here

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

• How to Apply
• Troubleshooting
• Tips for Applicants
• FAQ's

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 08-26-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology (MCD) is comprised of thirty-five faculty members and four lecturers, whose work focuses on questions of how information in DNA is packaged, read, and interpreted in living cells, how those cells are built and regenerated, and how cells work together to comprise a whole organism.

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), is devoted to the study of ecological and evolutionary processes in marine and terrestrial and freshwater environments. The past 30 years have seen several revolutions in our understanding of how the biological world works. Advances in both analytical and genetic methods have given us a far more sophisticated understanding of the complexities of ecological and evolutionary processes in the natural world. Biologists at UCSC have played and will continue to play an important part in these advances, and the campus programs offer unique educational opportunities in biology that feature small class sizes and extensive faculty-student interactions.

The Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) focuses on the human and environmental health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. This interdisciplinary focus has led to new insights into how microbes cause disease and affect the bioavailability of toxicants in the environment, as well as how organisms respond to these injurious agents. While our research is driven by biological questions, it has a significant translational component and has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, approaches for bioremediation, and markers of toxicant exposure. In addition, our department provides an exciting and effective training environment for graduate and undergraduate research and teaching. The METX faculty have been very successful in developing independent and interdisciplinary research programs, publishing in top-rated peer-reviewed journals, and advancing through the professoriate ranks. Moreover our graduate training prepares students to become leaders in various fields, following career paths in academia, teaching, industry, and government.

More information can be found at: https://science.ucsc.edu/degree/biology/

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Biology Teaching Laboratories (BTL) Manager, the BTL Supervisor provides technical and logistical support for instructional laboratory courses in the Biological Sciences. This position supports a broad range of courses offered by the departments of Molecular, Cell and Developmental (MCD) Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), and Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX). The BTL Supervisor works closely with the BTL Manager to supervise teaching laboratory spaces, personnel and operations. The BTL Supervisor directly supports laboratory courses, and advises BTL support staff, students and instructors.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $85,000/year - $95,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented - Grade 21

Job Code Classification: 006243 (LAB INSTRUCTION SUPV 1)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

60% - TECHNICAL LABORATORY AND FIELD COURSE SUPPORT

• Apply molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology and other methods to support biology laboratory and field courses. Act as lead support for any MCD, EEB or METX lower or upper division laboratory course offered at UC Santa Cruz. Serve as the gold standard for excellence in laboratory and field course support, and function as an advisor and primary technical resource for staff, students and instructors.
• Collaborate with instructors and colleagues to develop, analyze and modify experimental protocols. Evaluate organisms, reagents, media, chemicals, equipment, and procedural methodologies to ensure and improve experimental success. Test new protocols through a combination of experimentation, literature review and consultation with colleagues and instructors. Supervise and collaborate with four BTL staff members to address technical issues, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure student success. Prepare course materials and reagents. Order supplies, chemicals, and consumables to ensure stocks are adequate for successful course support. Maintain or supervise the maintenance of collections of living organisms for teaching purposes. Maintain detailed, clearly written laboratory notebooks and updated digital records of laboratory course protocols, materials and equipment needs.
• Enforce appropriate methods for the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, including chemicals and biohazards, in accordance with UCSC Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) codes and guidelines. Maintain records for quarterly laboratory safety checks, chemical inventories, and promote awareness of EH&S rules and regulations. Inform staff members and student workers regard logistical or safety issues.
• Provide administrative and technical equipment support. Determine whether equipment is adequate for specific experimental needs. Assess equipment availability, condition and suitability. Address equipment needs, issues or malfunctions. Assist with instructional equipment purchases by researching literature, consulting technical documentation, assessing costs, or scheduling vendor demonstrations. Assemble, install, calibrate, test, clean, and troubleshoot equipment as needed. Schedule equipment maintenance or repairs with support personnel.

30% - TEACHING LABORATORY SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

• Supervise BTL staff members, oversee preparatory spaces, laboratory classrooms and course support activities. Be directly responsible for hiring, determining work assignments, determining job changes, writing performance evaluations, discipline and resolution of complaints or grievances. Monitor and advise staff and student workers. Supervise and assist in laboratory space cleaning, glassware washing, autoclave sterilization and surface decontamination. Work with the BTL Manager to resolve staff issues, incidents, facilities problems, or safety concerns. Train staff in the correct application of laboratory methods and procedures. Assign and prioritize tasks to meet short-term goals. Provide staff members with appropriate assistance, direction and coordination to meet course support deadlines and overcome technical obstacles. Participate in the selection and evaluation of recruitment candidates, serve on hiring search committees and contribute to annual performance evaluations for BTL staff members. Provide constructive feedback to improve employee performance and clarify expectations when standards are not met.
• Manage placement of equipment and supplies to foster efficiency and safety. Train staff, students and instructors in the proper use of laboratory equipment. Maintain and provide standard operating procedures for teaching laboratory equipment and supervise equipment use. Work closely with instructors and teaching assistants to provide advice and guidance in practical aspects of laboratory operations. Rigorously test protocols for laboratory coursework prior to lab course exercises, with or without instructor involvement.
• Train staff and student workers to properly handle and dispose of hazardous materials. Enforce EH&S safety regulations and hazard awareness for all lab users. Update and maintain the BTL Safety Data Sheets and chemical inventory. Train staff to use the BTL chemical inventory database and ensure all lab members know how to locate safety information.

10% - ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Purchase supplies, course materials and equipment with corporate credit cards and through a purchase order system. Use corporate cards appropriately and complete submission of monthly statements with documentation for approval in a timely manner. Assist other staff members with these processes as needed. Keep records of materials required for laboratory courses and fine-tune purchasing to reflect changing needs while keeping costs economical. Respond to service needs, address shipping issues, and work with vendors to resolve problems. Summarize quarterly course support expenses and assist in cost analysis as directed.
• Delivers EEB vehicles to Fleet Services, and drives vehicles around CSC and Main Campus to perform job duties.
• Assist with BTL equipment inventories. Keep and update records of laboratory and field course supplies, materials and equipment. Manage equipment loans. Maintain security for valuable equipment and controlled areas. In collaboration with the BTL Manager, assist with 24-hour emergency responses.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Focus of knowledge and skills in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, ecology or evolution, as attained through coursework leading to a master's degree or PhD.
• Highly specific knowledge of the principles of modern laboratory and field biology associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research, including reagent preparation, sterile technique, gene amplification, cloning, sequencing, microbiological methods, data analysis, results synthesis and ecological or evolutionary field studies.
• Demonstrated experience with biology teaching laboratory and field course support.
  Extensive experience with the operation, maintenance and purchasing of specialized laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Solid leadership and organizational skills associated with planning work assignments, prioritizing schedules to meet strict deadlines, supervising personnel and overseeing instructional spaces.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse community of students, faculty and staff.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Experience supervising staff members, training others in scientific procedures, overseeing their work and evaluating their performance.
• Knowledge of lab safety procedures and requirements, including recognition of chemical hazards and biohazards, and their safe handling and disposal.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

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 allegations 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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.