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Junior Specialist - Keller Lab

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Position description

The Keller lab in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis seeks to fill a full-time Junior Specialist position. The successful candidate will be involved in characterizing antibody responses to viral pathogens or autoimmune targets in animals using phage immunoprecipitation-sequencing and immune repertoire sequencing.

I. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (90%)
90% RESEARCH
• Process animal blood and serum samples including sample transfer, labeling, logging and freezing.
• Prepare reagents.
• Assist in the cultivation and quantification of phage vectors.
• Perform immunoprecipitation, PCR & gel electrophoresis.
• Prepare next generation sequencing libraries and assist with next generation sequencing.
• Assist in training new employees, students, and collaborators in general lab protocols and procedures.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, organized records of laboratory experiments, procedures, data, and communications related to laboratory business.
• Keep inventory of and order laboratory supplies and reagents.
• Maintain standard operating procedures and biosafety protocols.
• Keep workspace tidy and perform preventative maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
• Review manuscripts in collaboration with the principal investigator for accuracy prior to submission.
• Assist with summarizing data, including creating tables, graphs, and figures.
• Taking online courses related to the work including project management, organizational development, safety services, data science, R programming.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
Participate in mentoring of undergraduate students in the research laboratory as appropriate.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, or equivalent.
• Experience using MS Excel for data entry, upload, review, and maintenance.
• Experience following research protocols, and oral/written instructions with attention to detail.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact professionally with a diverse group of people including but not limited to investigators, visitors, veterinarians, students and staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety.

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Laboratory experience, diligence and reproducibility.
• Experience with PCR, immunoprecipitation and next generation sequencing library preparation.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills for research and technical problems.
• Ability to use scientific terminology effectively.
• Organizational skills to coordinate projects, summarize data, prioritize workload and follow schedules, meet deadlines, to accommodate changes in projects as the need arises, and strict attention to detail with high level of efficiency.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • 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.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04096

Help contact: hledgington@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. 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 UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

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Job location

Davis, CA