Genomics Training Specialist, Internships & Mentorships Program

The Center for Comparative Genomics (CCG) is the Academy’s hub for cutting-edge research in museum genomics, with a mission to advance biodiversity, conservation, and regeneration. Specializing in historical DNA from natural history specimens, we combine state-of-the-art resources, including a genomics lab, frozen DNA CryoCollection, and high-performance computing systems, with expertise in genomics and computational analysis.

Our research spans the tree of life and the globe—from Caribbean coral reefs and Galápagos birds to California native plants, Cameroon’s frogs, and bioluminescent fish microbiomes in the Indo-Pacific. Beyond research, the CCG is committed to training the next generation of scientists by offering workshops, mentoring programs, and fostering collaborations to drive advancements in museum genomics.

The Genomics CCG Training Specialist, Internships and Mentorships Program (I&M) will play a critical role in supporting these efforts by developing and delivering hands-on training, mentoring researchers, and refining educational programs. This position will ensure alignment with cutting-edge genomic technologies, address the challenges of working with historical DNA, and meet the diverse professional needs of researchers, ultimately contributing to the CCG's mission of biodiversity preservation and advancement.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the supervision of the Director, for the Center for Comparative Genomics (CCG) the CCG  Training Specialist will support CCG lab user training experiences for mentorship-focused research programs across the Academy.  This role will collaborate with the Internships and Mentorships Program (I&M) staff to support cross-divisional mentorship and training efforts.  This is in partnerships with Academy programs, such as Careers in Science (CiS), the Summer Systematics Institute (SSI), the Lakeside Fellowship, Graduate Student research projects, and other science education and training opportunities at the Academy.  This position will work directly with the CCG team, I&M program leads, educators and PIs to develop and implement genomics and sequencing training for the early career research community at the Academy.  The CCG  Training Specialist will support researchers in molecular work on a variety of diverse taxa, develop new lab protocols, and support the training of students, visitors, and staff in molecular techniques and downstream analyses.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

In this role you will be required to collaborate with and assist research staff at the Academy with lab work in a manner consistent with our health and safety standards. General expectations and outline of duties are listed below. 

• Collaborate with the CCG Director, Lab Manager and Associate Manager, I&M in the development, and delivery of training experiences to interns, students, visitors, and staff on DNA/RNA extraction and sequencing (Sanger, NGS, long read sequencing, Hi-C etc.) and other genomics techniques as needed
• Deliver and develop new user orientations 
• Provide oversight and guidance on lab protocols and procedures for all CCG users
• Partner with the I&M Manager and I&M team, CCG team and other I&M program leads to identify CCG engagements and develop a comprehensive CCG program user calendar. 
• Coordinate I&M program engagements and balance with the CCG workflow and user interactions and program goals
• Train I&M program mentees in laboratory techniques and workflows by scheduling and supporting workshops, developing regular training schedules, organizing lectures as needed, and supporting other lab user engagements, etc. 
• Communicate CCG training opportunities and connect with key stakeholders, in partnership with the CCG and I&M teams
• Flexibility to work evening hours, as needed. For example, from 4–7 PM, to mentor high school students participating in the CiS program as they engage in genomics research and skill-building activities
• Contribute to CCG lab maintenance, such as prepare aliquots of reagents and stock solutions, stock and maintain lab consumables and physical inventories, when needed.
• Adhere to and enforce all Academy safety regulations and maintain a safe and organized laboratory environment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree preferred or equivalent independent research experience in biodiversity genomics, biological sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of hands-on experience in molecular genetics and proficiency in foundational molecular biology technique
• Experience and familiarity in next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimize lab protocols with a strong problem-solving approach.
• Demonstrated experience in developing engaging educational materials and training modules tailored to individuals with varying expertise levels.
• Proven success in mentoring and teaching, particularly with diverse trainee groups
• Familiarity with downstream bioinformatic analysis and data interpretation is preferred
• Prior experience working in a museum setting, particularly with historical DNA and extracting DNA from museum specimens, is strongly preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Strong interest and passion in biodiversity research with a focus on genomics techniques
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with a demonstrated ability to effectively convey scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to take a leadership role in guiding early career research 
• Works as a part of multi-disciplinary teams and diverse stakeholder groups
• Committed to working on a team that is striving to be anti-racist in work, interactions, systems, and tools
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, and as a member of interdisciplinary teams on cross-cutting issues
• Demonstrated ability to successfully collaborate with scientists and non-scientists alike
• Flexible and creative
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence 
• Ability to lift 10 lbs.  
• Ability to perform repetitive motions 50% of the time

We encourage interested candidates to apply, even if you do not meet every listed requirement. We value diverse experiences and backgrounds, and we are committed to providing opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about biodiversity research and genomics, and have a strong interest in learning and contributing to our mission, we would love to hear from you.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential job duty. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary for this position is $30.63-$31.86 / Hour. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume and cover letter, and complete the brief online application

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance(SF Police Code, Article 49). 

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.