At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences at UC Berkeley (QB3-Berkeley) harnesses the quantitative sciences of physics and engineering to unify our understanding of biological systems at all levels of complexity, from atoms and molecules to cells, tissues, and entire living organisms. QB3-Berkeley scientists make discoveries that drive the development of technologies, products, and wholly new industries, ensuring that California remains competitive in the 21st century. QB3-Berkeley operates several core research facilities, including QB3 Genomics.

Within QB3 Genomics, the Operations Director oversees the activities and staff of the Genomics cores (VCGSL, CGRL and staff in FGL) including the supervision of the facility manager (SRAIV) who subsequently supervises all levels of research/instructional associates and laboratory support staff and students.

The Operations Director works with the Scientific Director of the FGL, with VCGSL Faculty Directors, FGL Faculty Director, CGRL Faculty Director, and QB3 Director, as well as the QB3 Managing Director and the QB3 Genomics Advisory Board. The Director is the main point of contact for the all QB3 Genomics core clients, including 12 UCB departments, 100s of Berkeley faculty, and hundreds of individual users, as well as users at 6 other UC campuses and ~20 other research organizations and users from private industry. They also work with other core facility directors at UC Berkeley, and genomics facilities at other UC's and other academic institutions. They also manage UCOP's negotiations with the main sequencing service provider, Illumina Inc., every year on behalf of the entire UC system. They collaborate with genomics core directors across the UC system to schedule an annual UC consortium meeting for increased cross-campus collaborations.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: May 21, 2024

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning:

• Perform the scientific, financial and strategic planning of QB3 Genomics facility, working closely with the Scientific Director and faculty directors.
• Build a strategy toward the goals of financial compliance which also support research excellence.
• Track development of NGS field, provide strategic vision for development of genomics facilities at UCB.
• Act as a liaison with commercial genomics product manufacturers, standard laboratory vendors and service providers, to track new developments and technologies in the field and to ensure the value of UC's purchasing of genomics products.
• Leveraging UC's purchasing power and status as an R1 university, look for opportunities for partnerships, and create collaborations with manufacturers build new technologies, or partnership to test new technologies.
• Act as a liaison to other genomics cores at other UCs, and with labs and institutes at UC Berkeley who are major purchasers of genomics products.
• Track grant funding opportunities and work with the scientific and faculty directors to build proposal strategies involving multiple PIs.

Financial Planning and Funding:

• Manage all finances of the facility, assisted by accounting staff.
• Provide billing information to the accounting team so that services are accurately billed; review and reconcile the ledgers each month; develop recharge rates.
• Write grant applications for additional equipment or for collaborations among QB3 faculty. Provide progress reports on funded projects, equipment.
• Write proposals for opportunities for funding from private sources (foundations, private donors, corporations).
• Generate quotes and invoices for Non-UC users.

Facility Operations:

• Directly supervise the Genomics Sequencing Lab manager and assistant manager, and Computational Genomics staff. Supervise the workflows and coordinates with the Functional Genomics Lab manager.
• Manage administration and maintenance of LIMS system.
• Directly interact with researchers as needed.
• When beyond the scope of the facility managers, troubleshoot issues with library prep and sequencing.
• When beyond the scope of the staff, oversee the management of data return and analyze data.
• When beyond the scope of the staff, oversee the operation and maintenance of instrumentation (Illumina, PacBio, etc.).
• Place large and complex equipment, reagent orders.
• Write and review documents for publication.

Community Engagement:

• Assist researchers in the design of genomics projects.
• Provide workshops and training opportunities in emerging technologies to UCB researchers.
• Liaise with other core facility directors at UC Berkeley, and genomics core facility directors at other academic institutions.
• Attend faculty, leadership meetings to promote the core and share strategic vision, participate in long-range planning of institute and department activities related to genomics.

Miscellaneous:

• Administrative tasks as needed. Represent the core or QB3-Berkeley on VCR- or campus- level committees.

Required Qualifications

• Acknowledged expert in Next-Gen Sequencing.
• Deep experience with and expertise in NGS platforms.
• Advanced knowledge of molecular biology and genomics.
• Demonstrated experience with NGS library preparation.
• Leadership skills in employee supervision and HR administration to effectively lead and motivate others.
• Conflict resolution skills to resolve personnel issues and counsel assigned staff to develop cooperative working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a complex, challenging environment.
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility, anticipates and effectively handles change.
• Ability to organize division operations in an efficient and effective manner through improving processes, procedures, and systems.
• Proven analytical abilities and problem-solving skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify options for resolution.
• Demonstrated sound judgement.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills to effectively supervise staff.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.
• Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relationships bridging academic scientists from multiple disciplines.
• Knowledge of federal and UC recharge policies.
• Experience managing a recharge budget and developing rates.
• Familiarity with UNIX platforms, including system/server administration.
• Strong abilities to conduct and report on scientific experiments and findings, for publications and proposals.
• Advanced knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements, as well as chemical or biological disposal guidelines.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $95,300.00 - $178,100.00.

• This is a 100%, full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is exempt and paid monthly.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Diversity Statement

Please include, as part of your application a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional experience.

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our UC Berkeley Principles of Community, which states that "every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring, and humane environment in which these values can thrive."

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.