Sharf Lab Junior Specialist

Sharf Lab Junior Specialist

Position overview

Position title: Sharf Lab Junior Specialist

Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,00 - $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. Should the hiring unit propose 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 towards developing cutting edge 3D-stem cell models of human brain development to understand the formation, assembly and function of human neuronal circuits using a combination of 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 be 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. For more information about the lab and our research projects, please visit the Sharf Lab website.

Applicants with expertise in mammalian cell culture, with a particular focus using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and brain organoid models, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Biomolecular Engineering (BME):

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in neuroscience, biology, bio-engineering, (bio)physics or a field relevant to the advertised position.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Your application must demonstrate (e.g., in your C.V. or cover letter) 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.

• All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSCs confidentiality statement at

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About UC Santa Cruz

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicants previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at or

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The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz

Job location

Santa Cruz, CA

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