Skip to main content

Junior Specialist/Kluepfel Lab

We are no longer accepting applications for this recruitment. Browse open recruitments

Position description

Junior Specialist, Kluepfel Lab
Research (85%):
The incumbent of this position will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities through the following roles and duties:
• Collaborate on a project screening walnut and almond tree rootstocks for resistance to Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
• Assist the PI and other lab members in developing and testing novel preplant management strategies for the control of key soil borne microbial plant pathogens, as well as support other researchers with related projects.
• Assist the PI in development, establishment, and management of field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments, including experimental design, study set up, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and contribution to resulting reports, outreach articles for trade journals, and scholarly manuscripts for peer reviewed journals.
• Summarize project progress and findings for meetings, as well as coordinate project goals and timelines between Kluepfel lab and its collaborators.
• Project development will involve active engagement of literature in project development and interpretation beyond that’s expected in a purely technical capacity, including use of literature for hypothesis development, development of literature reviews, development and optimization of protocols and analytical methods, and development of introductory and discussion material in the preparation of manuscripts and reports.
• Technical duties will include isolating microorganisms from plant tissue and soil, extracting nucleic acids from complex samples, collecting and analyzing plant data, producing genetic libraries for high-throughput DNAsequencing, analyzing high-throughput metagenomic data, and producing publication-quality figures for reports, peer-reviewed articles, and meetings.
• Assist the PI in development of grant proposals based on data collected in previous studies, including development of project objectives, experimental methods and project background information.
• As a full time lab member, this position includes responsibility for maintaining safety standards and meeting regulatory requirements, staff training and management (undergraduate student technicians), and general laboratory management.
Professional Competence (10%):
• The incumbent will have opportunities to develop presentation abilities in laboratory meetings, the UC Davis plant pathology departmental retreat, growers meetings and other local (on-campus) events. As the position progresses, there may be opportunities to present project results at professional and industry meetings. The incumbent will be encourage to attend, and present if appropriate, the annual UC sponsored regional walnut research conference.
University and Public Service (5%):
• As part of UC service and service to the public, the incumbent will aid in the identification and isolation of plant pathogenic agents infecting walnut and almond rootstocks. This will help satisfy disease diagnosis needs for crop producers as well as for research scientists at academic and government agencies. These diagnosis services are conducted free of charge, representing a significant service to the agricultural producers research community.
• She/he is also encouraged to participate at Picnic Day, where our lab contributes to the hands-on demonstrations for the public

**UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and is dedicated to recruiting a diverse faculty community. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply, including women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco free-campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis -- indoors and outdoors including parking lots and residential spaces.

This position requires at least a Baccalaureate or similar degree in Plant Pathology, or related discipline. Note: The junior specialist rank is an entry level position, accordingly it is inappropriate to hire applicants with advanced degrees in this field, or those with bachelor’s degrees and three years’ relevant work experience. (See APM-UCD 330)

Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: UC Davis campus

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (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.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women

Job location

Davis, CA