STAFF RESEARCH ASSOCIATE I

SRA 1 (009613)

UCPath Position ID: 40190558

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1114361

Approved Date:

1/14/2026 8:41:21 PM

Date Last Edited:

1/14/2026 8:41:18 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

8/1/2021

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1340D

Division:

L&S PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Department:

098000 - CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40190558

Position Description ID

166080

UC Payroll Title:

SRA 1 (009613)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RX: Research Support Professionals

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40056575

Reports to Payroll Title:

ACADEMIC COORD II-FY

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40062513

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Instructional Laboratory Support Director, prepare reagents needed for all Organic and Biochemistry instructional laboratories. Maintain supplies of stock reagents. Prepare chemicals and equipment for upcoming experiments. Perform quality control and assurance on unknowns and volumetric standard solutions. Ensure that all chemical and equipment preparation is completed one week before the scheduled date for an experiment. Maintain equipment instruction protocol forms for spectrophotometers, melting point apparatus, gas chromatographs, centrifuges, analytical balances, rotary evaporators, and gas cylinders. Assist UA's and TA's with experiment development under the guidance of the respective teaching faculty. The applicant must have a strong background in chemistry especially in organic and Biochemistry.There is no clinical work associated with this position.

The UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry Department has a tradition of excellence and is ranked among the best in the country, as evidenced by the quality of its programs, the caliber of its faculty, and the excellence of its students. The Department is a leader in cutting-edge research and innovative educational programs.

The Department employs over 50 professors pursuing research in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. The goals of this research include synthesizing complex natural products and new nano-materials required to solve the many health and environmental crises facing our planet, and illuminating the molecular mechanisms that regulate the decoding of genetic information.

Chemical and Material Management

1. Prepare first-day equipment lists and SOP forms for organic and/or Biochemistry lab courses. Check for completeness of all chemical and supply sets to be used in currently scheduled experiments. Refill reagents and replenish supplies as needed.

2. Place chemical and supply sets used in currently scheduled experiments into each designated instructional laboratory.

3. Remove all chemicals and supplies used in previous experiments from instructional laboratories, transfer back to Laboratory support area, sort, clean and restock.

4. Check inventory of all chemicals and place orders and keep laboratory support area properly stocked.

5. Check inventory for all supplies needed for each experiment every week.

6. valuate each lab room and create Clean-up sheets for TA's and students to complete during the last lab meeting.

7. Troubleshoot equipment before sending out for repairs.

25%

Laboratory Support

1.Prepare reagents needed for all Organic and Biochemistry instructional laboratories. 2.Maintain chemicals and supplies, such as pipet tips, tubes, gloves, etc.

3.Prepare chemicals and equipment sets for upcoming experiments.

4. Prepare and package unknowns and volumetric standard solutions for experiments. 5. Prepare quality control and assurance on unknowns and volumetric standard solutions.

6. Make media for bacteria growth, both liquid and solid and Autoclave solutions to assure sterility.

7.Ensure that all chemical and equipment preparation as well as quality control is completed one week before the scheduled date for an experiment.

8. Inspect and maintain equipment instruction protocols forms for spectroscopic, analytic and other laboratory instruments including IR, GC, GC-MS.

9. Inspect pH meters, analytical balances, magnetic stirrers and colorimeters, and centrifuges to insure that they are in working condition.

10.Clean and organize the lab to ensure it meets safety CAL OSHA standards.

11. Make photocopies as necessary and Shred confidential documents.

12. Report all malfunctioning building facilities to Facilities Management.

13. Supervise Lab helper to operate Lab Support activities 

14. Request quotes from venders and submit orders for chemicals and supplies.

15. Make media for bacteria growth, both liquid and solid.                                        

16. Autoclave solutions to assure sterility.

50%

Laboratory and Safety Maintenance

1.Creating chemical waste manifests and proper disposal of chemical wastes in compliance with UCLA EH&S regulation and safety policies.

2. Check that all hazardous chemicals are properly sorted, labeled and stored and Check that all waste is properly labeled and dispose of all hazardous waste properly.

3. Autoclave and properly dispose of bacteria cultures.

4. Respond immediately to all laboratory accidents, and provide assistance to students and Report all accidents in instructional laboratories to your supervisor.

5. Keep track of the safety training requirements of the teaching assistant team.

6. Speak up about any violations in the safety culture.

25%

•

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 Chemistry or Biochemistry or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

Training in advanced organic/biochemistry and/or instrumental analysis. Ability to learn simple laboratory procedures appropriate to the particular research being conducted.

Required

Familiarity with laboratory and electronic instrumentation. Technical and scientific ability for operation, instruction, routine calibration, service maintenance and minor repair.Ability to learn proper use of lab equipment.

Required

Knowledge and training of the safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals and safe laboratory practices. Knowledge of current state, federal, OSHA regulations as they apply to the assigned tasks.

Required

Working knowledge of Macintosh desktop computers and common associated software, including Word and Excel

Required

Ability to work independently.

Required

Trained in the safe handling and disposal of bacterial waste and hazardous chemicals.

Required

Knowledge of radiation procedures,

Required

Knowledge of UCLA regulations is strongly preferred.

Preferred

Ability to adhere to established laboratory attendance and punctuality rules.

Required

Trained in UCLA radiation safety policies, procedures and techniques.

Preferred

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English.

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:

TBD

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

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

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

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 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.