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Junior Specialist - Sieving Lab

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Position description

The Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire up to two Junior Specialists in Dr. Paul Sieving’s lab. This position involves studying retinal biology and function, and changes caused by disease. Our laboratory focus is on human genetic ocular retinal diseases and animal genetic models of these conditions. Questions involve learning how the pathology causes abnormal retinal development and leads to disease progression, and what therapeutic approaches are possible. We have a human ocular gene therapy trial underway for a condition called X-linked retinoschisis, and the lab studies transgenic mice and rat models of this condition.

Successful candidates are expected to participate in three major categories of activities listed below:

1. RESEARCH (90% EFFORT)
The individual hired for this position will participate in ongoing research on genetic retinal degenerations. We are studying how Mueller glial cell pathology causes failure of the retina very early in disease. The Junior Specialist will work with the PI and with lab members to develop and conduct experiments and analyze results. We use techniques involving histology, molecular biology, in vivo electrophysiology recordings of live rodents, and in vivo non-invasive imaging of the retina to track disease progression. The Junior Specialist is given support and guidance for work assigned and will participate in ongoing projects, with individual responsibility assigned in the lab. The Junior Specialist will contribute to manuscript preparation. This position also involves assisting with general lab research operations and the person hired needs to have ability to work as part of a team.

2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
The candidate has the opportunity to join the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and to attend and present data at symposia and conferences. The Junior Specialist will also attend departmental and other seminars, journal clubs and other activities.

3. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
Candidate is expected to help mentor undergraduate students in the lab, and to participate in laboratory and group meetings and academic activities.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. The degree must have been awarded before starting date.
• Knowledge of routine safe laboratory practices.
• Some experience in a biomedical laboratory, with basic cell biology skills including tissue culture, and molecular biology skills including nucleic acid isolation and handling and PCR.
• Ability to manage laboratory supplies and to keep accurate records of experimental details.

• Computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience with maintaining cell culture


• Experience with protein quantification techniques.

• Experience with immunohistochemistry and microscopy.

• Experience with qPCR, plasmid DNA transfection and cloning.

• Experience handling mice, applying anesthesia for surgery, and maintaining an animal breeding colony.
• Commitment for two years.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: Full-Time (100%) appointment. Initial appointment is for 12 months (short term); reappointment is pending satisfactory performance, needs of the research project, and sufficient funding.

TO APPLY:
To apply, please go to the following link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04455. For full considerations applications must be completed by September 28, 2021; however, the position will remain open until filled through August 31, 2022.

Qualified applicants should submit:
• CV
• Contact information for 2 - 3 references

UC Davis commits to inclusion excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. 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. If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department.

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 positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

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

Apply Here: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04455

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. The degree must have been awarded before starting date.

• Knowledge of routine safe laboratory practices.

• Some experience in a biomedical laboratory, with basic cell biology skills including tissue culture, and molecular biology skills including nucleic acid isolation and handling and PCR.

• Ability to manage laboratory supplies and to keep accurate records of experimental details.


• Computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

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

• Experience with maintaining cell culture



• Experience with protein quantification techniques.


• Experience with immunohistochemistry and microscopy.

• Experience with qPCR, plasmid DNA transfection and cloning.

• Experience handling mice, applying anesthesia for surgery, and maintaining an animal breeding colony.

• Commitment for two years.

Application Requirements

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

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04455

Help contact: accflores@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