Position Summary

The Department of Biology is one of the largest departments within the University. Its wide spectrum of teaching and research covers all major areas of biology and includes approximately 1400 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate students. Degrees offered by the Department include: BA or BS in Biology, BA or BS in Microbiology, BS in Biology with optional emphases in Cell and Molecular Biology, in Ecology, in Evolution and Systematics, in Marine Biology, and in Zoology as well as preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Life Sciences; B.S. in Microbiology with optional emphasis in Clinical Laboratory Science and Public Health Microbiology; a Certificate in Biotechnology; MA or MS in Biology or in Microbiology; MA or MS with emphases in Ecology, in Evolutionary Biology, in Molecular Biology, and in Physiology; Ph.D. in Biology (with UCSD); Ph.D. in Ecology (with UC Davis) and Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology (with UC Riverside).

The SDSU Field Station Programs (FSP) is a university-wide resource that supports academic programs by providing opportunities for teaching and research that deal with native California ecosystems and natural landscapes. The management and oversight of Sky Oaks Field Station, Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, and Fortuna Mountain Research Reserve for research and university programs is the core function of the FSP. Program staff and affiliated faculty represent SDSU in the larger field oriented scientific community, including collaborations with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, USCD’s HPWREN, and field stations nationwide. The FSP works cooperatively with public and private organizations on projects of mutual interest, and in general promotes the university in the region, nationally, and internationally.

• This Instructional Support Technician II will enable the new Schrankel Lab (College of Sciences, Biology) to get set-up and maintained efficiently. This involves efficient procurement of supplies, establishment of electronic inventory and lab ordering systems, general maintenance of lab equipment, etc.

• Most paramount to this position is the ability to assist with setting up and maintaining two large free-standing Zebrafish Housing Systems for the breeding of transgenic sea urchins. These will be repurposed for use with sea water to house the research animals (wildtype and transgenic sea urchins).

• Additional objectives include helping to identify genes and generate the CRISPR/Cas9 reagents for targeted editing in sea urchin eggs, and helping to establish mouse embryonic fibroblast cultures in a separate mammalian tissue culture room and environment.

Full-time, temporary position anticipated to end on or before 6/30/2023 with the possibility of reappointment and/or permanency. This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

This position is physically located at the SDSU Main Campus in San Diego.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Equivalent to three years of experience providing instructional support services for a related unit or discipline, or in producing materials or supplies or repairing equipment in a discipline related to specialty area to which assigned.

OR

Equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

OR

Equivalent to four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the specialty area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Specialized Skills Required:

• A minimum of two years of experience with marine invertebrate care and aquaria maintenance.

• Proficiency in marine invertebrate husbandry, handling, spawning, and culturing egg-to-egg

• Ability to filter and move large volumes of seawater (e.g., lift 20L carboys onto a cart for transport >100m); daily upkeep of marine aquaria and tanks

• Ability to identify and fix aquaria flow, drain, and sump issues

• Animal tissue-clipping and genotyping; labeling and logging of transgenic line generations

• Animal dissections and histology

• Preparation of cells and tissues for RNA/DNA isolation; microscopy of cells and tissues as needed

• Starting and maintaining marine prokaryotic cell cultures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to maintain variety of micro and macro-algal diets (prepare algal media, grow and transfer live algal cultures, wash and count algae)

• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing

• Experience with mammalian cell culture

• Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA)

• Literature review and manuscript preparation or authorship experience

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $4,460 per month.

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,180-$7,254 per month.

SDSU Vaccine Policy

In accordance with the California State University systemwide policy, students, faculty, and staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide a valid medical or religious exemption in order to access campus. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated for five months after their final dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or for two months after receiving the only dose of a single-dose vaccine. Afterward a COVID-19 booster is required to continue to be considered fully vaccinated.

The individual hired into this role will be required to submit their completed vaccination documentation to the university’s secure online health portal prior to beginning work. Individuals with an approved medical or religious exemption on file with the university will be required to participate in SDSU’s COVID-19 testing program.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on October 18, 2022. To receive full consideration, apply by October 17, 2022. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘limited 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 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

SDSU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.

Applicants with disabilities and applicants who require assistance completing an application may contact Tina Deesen at tdeesen@sdsu.edu.