Skip to main content

Marco Lab Junior Specialist

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

Position description

This position will involve research on the microbiota of food and the digestive tract. The incumbent will be responsible for bacterial community analyses of foods, milk, and mammalian digestive tracts. Specific skills in PCR, quantitative PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis (single genes and bacterial communities), and molecular biology (protein and nucleic acids) are required. Additionally, skills in bacterial and yeast culturing methods and genetic manipulation (gene deletion and mutation) are desired. Experience with animal husbandry and necropsy as well as in the maintenance of human cell cultures (e.g. Caco-2 cells) is recommended. The incumbent will be responsible for executing experimental plans developed in partnership with the PI. He/she will be expected to analyze and interpret data he/she collects and then, through critical thinking, propose next steps (experiments) to be discussed with the PI.
The incumbent will contribute significantly to the advancement of the projects and will creatively contribute proposals of experimental steps that result from research findings. This is an inherently creative process that requires good to excellent experience of the field and appropriate research literature. The Junior Specialist will be actively involved in innovative research that requires him/her to be informed on current findings in the field and will be expected to perform reviews of the literature required for project in question. With the assistance of the PI, the junior specialist will be the lead author on a manuscript of his/her work. Beyond this, this person will contribute figures / tables to other manuscripts in the lab and will be included as a co-author on those papers. The junior specialist will attend regional and possibly national scientific conferences to present the research.
The junior specialist is expected to provide mentorship to undergraduate students and first year graduate students, training them in microbiology, bioinformatics, and LAB-specific molecular biology laboratory and experimental skills.

Basic qualifications:
• BS in Biology or Microbiology
• Research experience in microbiota research

Preferred qualifications:
• Bacterial and yeast culture methods (growth curves, CFU enumeration)
• PCR and quantitative real-time PCR
• Species identification by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences (bacteria) and ITS (yeast)
• Identification of bacteria in mixed communities (HTP DNA sequencing and bioinformatics)
• Protein analysis by Western blot
• Experience with CRISPR systems

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)

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-6 required (contact information only)
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women