University of California - Santa Cruz
Sharf Lab Junior Specialist
University of California - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, us, 95061
Position Overview
Position title: Sharf Lab Junior Specialist
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 - $58,600.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of reappointment. If the hiring unit proposes reappointment, a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.
Application Window Open date: November 12, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Dec 12, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description The Department of Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a junior specialist.
Under the direction of Assistant Professor Tal Sharf, the junior specialist will contribute to developing cutting‑edge 3D stem‑cell models of human brain development to understand the formation, assembly, and function of human neuronal circuits using state‑of‑the‑art physiological and optical techniques. Although there will be some lab management duties (e.g., ordering, equipment maintenance, etc.), this position will primarily offer an opportunity to participate and contribute to the rapidly advancing field of brain organoid research, to work with physiology equipment, and to carry out a supervised research project to gain hands‑on laboratory experience.
Specific duties include: culturing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), generating brain organoids, and contributing to quantitative analysis of physiology data and bioengineering related projects. Appointees at this level are expected to enable research as part of a team working at the interface between engineering/physics, biology, and computation in close collaboration with the Braingeneers consortium.
Applicants with expertise in mammalian cell culture, especially with human iPSCs and brain organoid models, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted):
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in neuroscience, biology, bioner‑engineering, (bio)physics, or a field relevant to the advertised position.
Application Requirements Your application must demonstrate that you meet all of the basic qualifications when you submit your application. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter – Briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
Reference requirements: 3‑5 letters of reference required. Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
Contact Information Help contact: lwillend@ucsc.edu
EEO Statement 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.
Job Location Santa Cruz, CA
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 - $58,600.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of reappointment. If the hiring unit proposes reappointment, a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.
Application Window Open date: November 12, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Dec 12, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description The Department of Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a junior specialist.
Under the direction of Assistant Professor Tal Sharf, the junior specialist will contribute to developing cutting‑edge 3D stem‑cell models of human brain development to understand the formation, assembly, and function of human neuronal circuits using state‑of‑the‑art physiological and optical techniques. Although there will be some lab management duties (e.g., ordering, equipment maintenance, etc.), this position will primarily offer an opportunity to participate and contribute to the rapidly advancing field of brain organoid research, to work with physiology equipment, and to carry out a supervised research project to gain hands‑on laboratory experience.
Specific duties include: culturing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), generating brain organoids, and contributing to quantitative analysis of physiology data and bioengineering related projects. Appointees at this level are expected to enable research as part of a team working at the interface between engineering/physics, biology, and computation in close collaboration with the Braingeneers consortium.
Applicants with expertise in mammalian cell culture, especially with human iPSCs and brain organoid models, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted):
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in neuroscience, biology, bioner‑engineering, (bio)physics, or a field relevant to the advertised position.
Application Requirements Your application must demonstrate that you meet all of the basic qualifications when you submit your application. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter – Briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
Reference requirements: 3‑5 letters of reference required. Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
Contact Information Help contact: lwillend@ucsc.edu
EEO Statement 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.
Job Location Santa Cruz, CA
#J-18808-Ljbffr