Lab Manager

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

The Department of Psychology is a large, complex department within the College of Letters and Science (Division of Social Sciences). It comprises nearly 40 active faculty members, 16 career staff, 3 continuing Lecturers, a number of Visiting Scholars and Postdocs each year, as well as a large cadre of Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student researchers. The fundamental missions of the University - teaching, research, and community service - are all met by the Department.

Our teaching program is quite large. Psychology has nearly 800 undergraduates, and department courses serve approximately 4,000 students each semester, as well as a large summer session each year. The Department has approximately 90 graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in five specialized sub-fields. In research, the Department supports the work of a large number of life science labs in work with both human and animal subjects, as well as an off-site Field Station.

Psychology is closely linked with several major research institutes/ORUs on campus: The Institute of Human Development, the Institute of Personality and Social Research, the Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, and works in collaboration with their administration to meet the needs of our faculty. The Department also collaborates closely with the Department of Neuroscience, as many of our faculty hold joint appointments and pursue related research. Our outpatient clinic serves the surrounding community by providing vital psychiatric treatment.

In short, the Department of Psychology is a large and varied unit that requires considerable skill in terms of its overall administration.

Position Summary

This position provides essential support for laboratory research by conducting experiments, interpreting data, and assisting with scientific writing and grant protocols. The role also serves as a key coordinator for the lab, managing research personnel, including post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduate assistants, while organizing lab meetings and supporting the lab's general administrative and social needs.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 10, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

Research Assistance

• Under close supervision, the Staff Research Associate (SRA) will provide research assistance.
• Incumbent will assist in overseeing research experiments from start to finish, including (but not limited to) recruitment, scheduling subjects, preparing and running experiments, and accurately collecting and recording data.
• Gather experimental data by running behavioral and EEG experiments.
• Assist with data analysis.
• Maintain and organize the collected data (both digital and paper) in accordance with laboratory standards.

Research and Administrative Duties

• Organizing lab meetings and other occasional lab social events.
• Provide assistance with training undergraduate research assistants on laboratory tasks and techniques, such as (but not limited to) EEG and data analyses.
• Assist with coordinating undergraduate research assistants' lab tasks.
• Ensures regulatory compliance regarding safety in small to medium or single facilities; provides staff training on equipment use and safety protocols.
• Collaboratively write and/or edit IRB protocols, grants, and other scientific reports as needed.
• May contribute towards articles for publication in scientific journals or for presentations at conferences or symposiums.
• Consults with academic supervisors or professional researchers on the nature and objectives of the research project or instructional design goals.

Laboratory Maintenance

• Ensure proper operation and maintenance of the laboratory, such as purchase, receive, store, organize, and distribute supplies for laboratory research projects, as well as software maintenance (i.e., installation and upgrades); maintain inventory records.
• Ensure proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment; perform simple equipment repair and maintenance.
• Laboratory maintenance also includes clean-ups and set-ups.
• Ensures that specimen collections and equipment are maintained properly.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Focus of knowledge and skills dependent on the area of running behavioral and EEG experiments, organizing human data, writing experimental code, and data analysis.
• Solid interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with a diverse community.
• Knowledge of data acquisition and analysis techniques.
• Solid written and communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area (Cognitive science, Cognitive neuroscience, Neuroscience, Psychology) and/or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• At least one year of demonstrated research experience and/or equivalent combination of training/experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with cognitive science or cognitive neuroscience literature.
• Advanced and highly specific knowledge and expertise associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research experiments and findings.
• Strong abilities to conduct and report on scientific experiments and findings.
• Advanced knowledge of research discipline or instructional design to collaborate effectively with faculty and function as a resource to research and instructional associates.

Salary & Benefits

This is a part-time (20 hours per week) career position.

This position is eligible for full UC 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 hourly range the University expects to pay for this position is $28.69 - $34.22 (stepped rates).

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at:

This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

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.