We are looking for one dedicated undergraduate research volunteer to join our team to isolate mitochondria from kelp starting Spring 2025. The candidate must be available to 1) volunteer for 99 credit, 10 h/week during the Spring quarter, 2) work ~15 h/week (paid position) during Summer 1 and Summer 2 2025, 3) volunteer for 99 credit, 10 h/week during academic year 2025-2026.
Key responsibilities include:
- Actively participate in weekly mitochondrial isolation preps with our kelp prep team.
- Carry out foundational and advanced biochemical procedures (e.g., make stock solutions, make working buffers, safely run differential and density centrifugations at various scales, make density gradients, fractionate organelles)
- Keep detailed and complete lab records (notebook, inventories, prep trackers, etc)
- Produce prep reports, including figures and data analysis
- Assist in bacterial protein expression and purification procedures
- Share in weekly lab maintenance jobs
Key requirements include:
- Interest and enthusiasm for a career in academic research focused on biochemistry and molecular biology
- Experience and ability to work in teams (may be from extracurriculars/other jobs)
- Dependability, punctuality, maturity, proactive attitude
- Specific time availability:
- Spring quarter 2025: Availability for at least 10 h, in at least 2-hour blocks, on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm
- Summer 2025: Availability for ~15 h on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm
- Fall 2025-Spring 2026: Availability for at least 10 h, in at least 2-hour blocks, on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm
- B or higher grade in BIS2A and general chemistry
- Biochemistry, molecular biology or equivalent major
- Interest in non-mammalian systems
To apply, please send your CV to Dr Maldonado and Jenevieve Weissman (mmaldo [at] ucdavis [dot] edu, jdweissman [at] ucdavis [dot] edu) and complete the following form online by midnight March 16th. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. We look forward to hearing from you!
