Lab Assistant 1

LAB AST 1 (009605)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_940752

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

12/16/2025 5:35:14 PM

Date Last Edited:

12/16/2025 5:35:09 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1330D

Division:

L&S LIFE SCIENCES

Department:

087500 - PSYCHOLOGY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_940752

Position Description ID

250080

UC Payroll Title:

LAB AST 1 (009605)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

4 - Staff: Limited

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

0.5

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40043554

Reports to Payroll Title:

Professor

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40041384

Department Head Payroll Title:

Department Chair

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Lab Assistant I will support behavioral neuroscience research involving rodents (rats) in the Blair Lab. Primary responsibilities include routine animal husbandry, running behavioral experiments, assisting with intracranial implant surgeries, and collecting and analyzing calcium-imaging data. Additional duties may involve equipment preparation, data organization, and maintenance of laboratory records.

All work will be assigned and reviewed on a weekly basis by the PI.

The UCLA Department of Psychology is an exceptional department known for its excellence in research, teaching, and service. With a distinguished faculty comprising more than 60 ladder rank members, it is one of the nation's top psychology departments. Its undergraduate program is the largest within the Division of Life Sciences and the UCLA College, with more than 4,700 undergraduate students enrolled across three majors: Psychology, Psychobiology, and Cognitive Science. The department also offers a comprehensive Ph.D. program with eight areas of study to approximately 200 enrolled graduate students.

Research Support

A1. Assist with routine animal husbandry. (E)

A2. Assist with running rodent behavioral experiments, and intracranial implant surgeries. (E)

A3. Assist with data collection, and analysis of calcium-imaging data. (E)

A4. Provide PI weekly progress updates on data collected. (E)

A5. Assist with maintenance of  laboratory data files, including accurate logs of all collected data. (E)

A6. Attend laboratory research meetings with an interdisciplinary team of faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research staff. (E)

A7. Follow lab protocol to prepare laboratory equipment prior to experiments and procedures. (E)

100%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in biology, psychology, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

Responsible, reliable, detail-oriented, able to follow instructions, and able to work both independently and in a team.

Required

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.

Required

Excellent organization skills.

Required

Ability to use data acquisition and processing software for behavioral data (e.g., Python software, etc).

Required

Experience working in a lab research setting.

Required

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, SPSS, & Adobe Acrobat.

Required

Experience handling rodents in a lab setting.

Required

Multitasking skills, i.e., independently prioritizing assignments to complete work in a timely fashion and demonstrating flexibility in responding to changing needs and resolving issues.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Blair Lab

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Other Environmental Requirements

BSL1 hazardous agents including viral vectors.

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 1: Position in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, potential spills, and splashes. Use of appropriate measures is required for every employee in this position.