Staff Research Associate III (9611C) - Physics

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Job ID

80590

Location

Main Campus-Berkeley

Full / Part Time

Full Time

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About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). 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 full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Physics is the largest department in the L&S Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. It is ranked as one of the top physics departments in the world, with excellence in research, teaching, and service to the community all highly valued. The department has 80 ladder and active emeriti faculty, 60 career and casual staff, and 300 lecturers, teaching assistants, readers, research personnel, postdocs, fellowship recipients, and visiting scholars. It enrolls 250 graduate students, 250 undergraduate majors, and over 7,000 students in its courses, many with laboratory sections. Its faculty fully participates in teaching and administration and conducts world-class research in campus, local, national, and international laboratories and sites; research activities require active financial arrangements with organizations such as Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Physics manages 3 distinct campus buildings in its facilities complex with 240,000 assignable square feet, and it also houses and provides services to several research centers, the Physics Library, and multiple research Laboratories with varying physical environments. It has an active fundraising program.

This position reports to the Director of Instructional Support (R&D Engineer Supervisor) and will be primarily responsible for setting up, preparing and supporting daily lecture demonstrations and weekly lab experiments, as well as researching and designing the new demonstrations / experiments in consultation with faculty, supervisor, and outside experts. This position develops new demonstrations / experiments and modifies existing demonstrations / experiments, and must be responsive to faculty requirements and recommendations about the physical principles to be demonstrated. This position functions relatively independently to research, analyze, and propose new educational materials, maintain the collection, and order materials and supplies. In addition the Staff Research Associate collaborates with other staff members to prepare and disassemble the weekly laboratory experiments; and meets with GSIs and faculty members to understand their needs.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is : September 2, 2025 - Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

50%

• Lecture Demonstrations and Support of Undergraduate Instruction : Prepare lecture demonstrations for supported classes in physics lecture halls, including advance set-up of apparatus and instructing faculty in safe and effective use of demonstration materials. Inspect and maintain demonstration equipment, diagnosing equipment malfunctions and replacing, repairing, or arranging for repair. Recommend new equipment when needed. Develop new lecture demonstrations based on best practices and needs of instructors, and responsive to changes in physics and educational methods. Consult publications and colleagues at other institutions. Research, design, and fabricate or purchase new apparatus. Design considerations would include safety, economy, and educational effectiveness.
• Create, maintain, and update a physics lecture demonstration web site, including description of services and resources available to instructors, procedures for obtaining services, abstracts of demonstration exercises, and contact information for staff.
• Maintain and improve historic collection of about 600 demonstrations. Participate in planning for equipment needs, annual demonstration budget, class schedules, and renovation of lecture halls that may effect delivery of demonstrations. Revise and maintain online demonstration catalogue. Using educational demonstration materials, support departmental special events such as the Colloquium, Cal Day, special lectures, and Society of Physics Students events. Conduct various administrative tasks such as preparation of master semester schedule, organization of storage space, equipment ordering, and tracking of demonstration & audiovisual equipment usage. Maintain own computer and those provided for use in lecture halls
• Maintain a safe work environment for self, coworkers, instructors, and students in compliance with regulations. Provide for safe storage and disposal of chemicals, radioactive sources, and other hazardous materials or apparatus. Maintain chemical inventory. Demonstrate and encourage instructors to use safe procedures for avoiding electrical, mechanical, and laser hazards in the classroom.

35%

10%

5%

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

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 $79,385.98 $89,409.01 yearly ($6,615.50 to $7,450.75 monthly). This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct :

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 status under state or federal law.