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Aquatic Toxicology Assistant Project Scientist, Marine Pollution Studies Lab (Dept of ETOX at UC Davis)

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Position description

The Department of Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Davis (UCD) has an opening for a project scientist in aquatic toxicology who will work under the leadership of Dr. Ron Tjeerdema (Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Executive Associate Dean, CA&ES) and Bryn Phillips (Laboratory Director, Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory). MPSL has been conducting applied toxicology research and monitoring in watersheds, estuaries and coastal waters for over 35 years. The laboratory has a rich history of varied projects (http://www.granitecanyon.org/research-projects.html) that include marine bioassay protocol development, toxicity identification evaluation methods development, oil dispersant research, local and statewide toxicity and contaminant monitoring, and development of treatment systems to reduced toxicity and contaminants in urban and agricultural runoff.

The successful candidate with lead efforts to continue a statewide monitoring pilot project to augment the current Stream Pollution Trends Monitoring Program (SPoT https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/spot/). SPoT currently monitors sediment toxicity and chemical contamination at 90 stations statewide. The program began in 2008, and has determined clear links among urban land use, sediment pesticide concentrations, and toxicity to the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus dilutus. SPoT measures sediment toxicity using standard U.S. EPA methods for amphipods and midges, and typically measures sediment contaminants using standard GC/MS and LC/MS methods. The proposed pilot project is expanding on SPoT’s list of monitoring tools to include some form of effects-based tools and non-target chemical analysis to investigate links between sediment toxicity and chemistry, and unknown bioactive contaminants including pesticides and other CECs.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH (90%)
This candidate with lead efforts to continue a statewide monitoring pilot project to augment the current Stream Pollution Trends Monitoring Program. The candidate may design and execute both field and laboratory data collection, including propagation and husbandry of bay-delta fish species such as sturgeon, salmon, and their predators, as necessary. The candidate will develop research within an interdisciplinary framework, translate findings to regulatory and management agencies, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

The candidate will be expected to:

  1. Laboratory Participation and Eventual Management: a. Participate in routine activities related to SPoT and other projects to gain knowledge of daily activities with the goal of managing personnel and projects. Level of participation will depend on level of experience with activities. This will include field sampling and all aspects of laboratory toxicity testing. b. Become familiar with laboratory infrastructure and participate in maintenance activities.
  2. SPoT Pilot Project Administration a. Conduct behavioral assays in cooperation with other UC Davis researchers to determine toxicity of extracts produced by non-target analyses.
  3. Publishing. Publish research results in prestigious peer-reviewed journals as lead and senior author. Leading journals might include Environmental Toxicology Chemistry, Science of the Total Environment, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, and Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.
  4. Reporting. Prepare technical reports to support collaborations with non-profit and agency partners.
  5. Grant Acquisition & Management. Significantly contribute to the development of proposals and research plans resulting in the acquisition of state and federal funding. a. Develop and pursue new research directions related to use of effects-based tools in environmental monitoring, as well as pursue new possibilities for laboratory research and monitoring Other research duties include:
  6. Manage all research projects and budgets according to sound management principles
  7. Write and submit progress reports to funding agencies to satisfy grant requirements.
  8. Attend project meetings.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to her/his specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and give research presentations at national and international scientific meetings. When appropriate, the candidate may be requested to coordinate seminars and laboratory meetings.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)
The incumbent may assist in training or mentoring of other junior scientists or project personnel or participate in university or other groups to improve equity and inclusion in the sciences.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
● Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology (or related field) or ample experience in aquatic toxicology laboratory by start date

ADDITIONAL (met by the start date of the position):
● Demonstrated ability to write and publish papers.
● Willingness to collaborate and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across disciplines.
● Demonstrated excellent research capabilities required to carry out innovative and insightful research.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (not required):
● Experience with standard U.S. EPA aquatic toxicity testing.
● Well-developed data processing skills, including experience with R.
● Management experience.

SALARY RANGE:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include university staff privileges; group medical, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance options.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT:
The position is 100% for 12 months initially, renewable for an additional 12-month period contingent on satisfactory progress and funding.

Review of applications will begin December 20, 2020. The position will remain open until filled with a preferred start date of April 1, 2021 with some flexibility for the right candidate.

APPLICATION / HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please go to the following link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF03914.

Applicants should submit the following:

  1. Cover letter (one page)
  2. Statement of contributions to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (one page, guidelines at https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/guidelines-writingdiversity-statement)
  3. CV
  4. Names and contact information for 3 references familiar with your work

CONTACT:
For further information about the position, contact Bryn Phillips (bmphillips@ucdavis.edu) with ‘Assistant Project Scientist research position: SPoT’

The University of California, Davis, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, age, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or service in the uniformed services (includes membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services) status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran, in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, and with university policy. As required by Title IX, the University of California, Davis, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, admissions, employment or other activities. https://www.ucdavis.edu/statement-nondiscrimination/

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter - (< 1 page)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
    (Optional)

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

Job location

Monterey, CA