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Junior Specialist, Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics

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Position description

The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist in general support of molecular, biochemical, and cell biology projects related to the directed migration of immune cells using a cell culture model.

Research Activity
The Jr. Specialist will participate in publishable research on signal transduction in the context of the directed migration of human immune cells. The research uses a cell line model for human neutrophils, as well as molecular biology and biochemistry. The position will involve nucleic acid isolation, PCR, DNA and protein gel electrophoresis, gene cloning, protein isolation and identification by mass spectrometry, as well as general laboratory maintenance such as cleaning of glassware, putting away glassware and supplies, autoclaving materials, ordering supplies, preparation of solutions and media, maintenance of cell cultures, freezing cell lines, and maintaining frozen stocks of cells and plasmids.

The Jr. Specialist will perform experiments under the supervision of a current graduate student and the PI. The Jr. Specialist is expected to familiarize him/herself with the current state of knowledge in the field by reading background literature, including that suggested by supervisors and relevant independent study. He/she will also learn and interpret protocols from the literature to adapt and help develop our own protocols. The Jr. Specialist is expected to understand the rationale and hypotheses being tested. The Jr. Specialist will discuss experimental design prior to performing experiments and then perform experiments. Once trained, the Jr. Specialist is expected to work independently for basic techniques and protocols.

Overall, the Jr. Specialist should work semi-independently, planning his/her own work schedule and many experiments, with oversight by the PI and graduate student. The Jr. Specialist will be expected to participate in the design of the experimental plan and individual experiments. He/she will keep a detailed laboratory notebook including experimental procedures and results. The Jr. Specialist will participate in internal campus seminar series and laboratory research meetings, presenting in both. The Jr. Specialist must be able to give oral presentations. The Jr. Specialist may be able to participate in and present research results, either short oral presentation or a poster presentation, in local external scientific meetings on campus or in California. He/she will organize and summarize final data in graphical and/or tabular form for publications, grant proposals, and publications. The Jr. Specialist will participate in the writing of research results for publication by writing sections of the manuscript and helping edit the manuscript. Eventually, the Jr. Specialist is expected to mentor undergraduate researchers. These students would typically help with basic lab tasks and complete small research projects closely related to the Jr. Specialist's own research. The Jr. Specialist would be expected to assist with their training and discuss experiments with them. The Junior Specialist will also help train visiting students and/or scholars.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Chemistry or a related field with a minimum of one year experience in laboratory research.
• Requires demonstrated experience and expertise in PCR, transformation, minipreps, agarose gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, protein analysis, and SDS gels/immunoblotting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Preference given to applicants with additional demonstrated experience and expertise in biochemistry, particularly in protein purification and/or mass spectrometry.

  • The ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: Short term, up to two years. Appointments may be made up to 100%.

TO APPLY: To apply, please go to the following link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01718. Applicants should submit a cover letter detailing their specific qualifications for this position, and a curriculum vitae that includes the names and contact information for at least two references. Generic cover letters that do not address the specific qualifications for this position are not acceptable. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files.

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to srcollins@ucdavis.edu.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
UC Davis is a smoke & tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - detailing specific qaulifications for this position

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
    (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women

Job location

Davis, CA