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Junior Specialist - DePeters Lab

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Position overview

Salary range: Step I- $46,800 yearly; Step II- $49,800 yearly; commensurate with qualifications and experience

Position description

This position will be involved in interdisciplinary research in the areas of ruminant nutrition and plant biology. The best candidate will have skills related to (1) ability and knowledge to work with livestock, (2) oral and written communication skills to work as a team member, (3) decision-making that allow independent work with little supervision.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (70% EFFORT)

The Junior Specialist will be involved in research that will lead to peer-reviewed publications. This research will involve the feeding of specific research diets to lactating dairy cattle and sheep. The Junior Specialist will be responsible for data collection and will help the supervisor with statistical analysis of the data. As a member of the research team the Junior Specialist will assist the weighing of feed, collection of samples (milk, feed, and feces), and the preparation of samples for analytical analyses. The Junior Specialist will also assist with the analysis of feed samples using existing methods and equipment for in vitro rumen fermentation.

The experimental design of research projects will be done by the supervisor in the Department of Animal Science and research collaborators in the Department of Plant Sciences. The Junior Specialist will be responsible for helping the research investigators to conduct the studies.

The Junior Specialist will assist with preparing peer-reviewed publications. Duties will include helping the supervisor with a literature search and data collection. The Junior Specialist will enter data into spreadsheets that will be used by the investigator for statistical analyses. The statistical analyses will be conducted by a collaborator in Plant Science, but the Junior Specialist will assist by organizing the data in spreadsheets that can be used in R statistical packages. The Junior Specialist will help the investigator in the preparation of manuscripts by reading drafts of the publication, and where necessary helping to write sections, for example helping to write the section related to materials and methods of the research.

The Junior Specialist in collaboration with the principal investigator will coordinate research activities. This will include (1) working with staff at animal facilities and the Feed Mill and (2) training undergraduate student research interns.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (20% EFFORT)

A. The Junior Specialist will assist the investigator in preparing and presenting written progress reports and final summaries to the granting agencies. Depending on interest and availability of research funds, the Junior Specialist may also present an abstract of the research findings at a scientific meeting (for example, annual meeting of American Society of Dairy Science) or a poster at a nutrition conference (for example, CA Animal Nutrition Conference in Fresno CA).

B. Participation in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups including educational and research organizations. Participation in activities related to research, outreach, and education with public and private entities.

C. Review manuscripts in collaboration with the principal investigator for accuracy prior to submission. Assist with data expression including creating tables, graphs, and figures.

III. University and Public Service (10% EFFORT)

The Junior Specialist will participate in training activities, such as working with high school and undergraduate interns and training them in molecular lab work and data analysis.

a. Participate in activities of committees with the Department of Animal Science, college, and campus.
b. Participate in activities of committees with State agencies and Commodities Boards.
c. Participate in training activities, such as working with undergraduate interns.
d. Participate in supporting activities related to teaching where expertise is appropriate. This may include assisting the principal investigator with teaching activities related to nutrition and dairy cattle where expertise applies.
e. Assist the principal investigator in maintaining liaison with and responding to the needs and requests of various industry organizations, State and Federal agencies, and other societal groups in California.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

● Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science or a related field
● Ability to maintain chemical inventories and laboratory safety data sheets.
● Ability and experience to work with livestock including cattle and sheep.
● Knowledge of research protocol
● Knowledge of general animal nutrition
● Knowledge of basic animal care protocols required for research on campus with live
animals.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

● Knowledge of computer programs to collect and summarize data (Excel, Word) and to
present research information (PowerPoint).

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

● Ability and previous experiences with feed/fecal analysis (for example fiber and crude fat determination)
● Knowledge and skills necessary to collect blood samples
● Experience using pipettes, analytical balances, top-loader balances, and drying ovens.
● Experience supervising and helping to train undergraduate interns to feed animals
● Knowledge of in vitro rumen fermentation methods

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (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.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04402

Help contact: migonza@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

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, CA