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Junior Specialist - Dugger Lab

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Position description

Junior Specialist Step 1- Pathology and Lab Medicine
Dugger Lab JPF04494

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The junior specialist will be mainly involved in coordination, management and maintenance of brain and tissue banks, performing tissue-related technologies, processing blood and other tissue samples, storing and tracking tissue samples, providing tissues to researchers, maintaining database, as well as miscellaneous supporting work for the laboratory operations under the supervision of Dr. Dugger. The tissue specimens include but are not limited to: postmortem human brain tissue, blood samples, cerebrospinal fluid samples, and DNA/RNA and cellular samples.
Specifically, the duties may include but are not limited to: 1) catalog and store tissue specimens, to dispose unneeded specimens, and to maintain an updated specimen database, 2) to coordinate between autopsy providers, neuropathologists, and tissue technologists in order to facilitate smooth postmortem diagnosis, tissue storage and entry into the database, 3) to communicate with various investigators regarding the status of tissue specimens and database, 4) to manage documents, to retrieve tissue and coordinate with tissue technologist to efficiently provide specimens to requesting scientists, 5) to perform tissue-related technologies, and 6) to provide miscellaneous support to the laboratory and operational activities.

General responsibilities:
RESEARCH (50%):
• Help design the protocol, coordinate, and manage research autopsy and sample utilization programs
• Manage datasets, records, and research documentation
• Mentor student employees in the laboratory as required
• Conduct, oversee, and provide feedback on the following laboratory techniques: 1) research blood sample processing; 2) DNA extraction; 3) RNA extraction; 4) database input and management; 5) tissue sample tracking and distribution; 6) quality control; and 7) tissue-related technologies.
• Correctly use and maintain laboratory equipment such as micro-plate reader, balances, centrifuges, microscopes, pipettes, cryostat, and laminar flow hoods
• Update, modify, and revise plans for standard laboratory procedures to fulfill the needs of each research project.
• Manage autopsy to lab program by coordinating between coroner, neuropathologists and tissue technicians while preserving sample integrity.
• Other related jobs assigned by supervisor

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (40%):
• The incumbent will serve as a key coordinator in large scale collaboration investigating the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related brain disorders, using human and mouse tissue samples. The incumbent will have opportunities to develop interpersonal and communication skills in bioscience research via coordination between autopsy providers, hospital or funeral home administrators, neuropathologists, laboratory staff, and tissue technologists.
• The incumbent will be given opportunities to develop presentation abilities in laboratory meetings and the departmental meeting and other on-campus events.
• The incumbent will be given the opportunities to organize clinical research activities such as clinicopathological correlation and biomarker discovery. In this capacity, the incumbent is encouraged to read appropriate literature and discuss during laboratory meetings.
• The incumbent will be encouraged to have membership with appropriate societies and participate in appropriate meetings and groups on-campus.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10%):
• Mentorship of volunteer and undergraduate students

Salary:
Step I - $46,800 Annually, 100% FTE

Number of Positions Available: 1

Term of Appointment:
One year with possibility to extend. Appointment based on the needs of the research project. 100% Appointment.

Please submit:
Cover Letter, CV (Required) or Resume, and Contact Information for 3-5 references (Required) to https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF04494.

This posting will remain open until filled through 4/01/2022.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:
http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis-- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

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 UCD 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/).
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor degree in biological sciences or a related field
• Willingness to work outside of typical hours to facilitate autopsy to lab program, to include possible phone calls nights and weekends.

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

• Proficient computer skills including spreadsheet and database software
• Ability to work with human tissues with respect and care
• Ability to abide by safety and patient privacy regulations. Able to safely work with tissue fixatives, dry ice, and liquid nitrogen
• Ability to coordinate with coworkers with a wide range of professional backgrounds and to communicate professionally and effectively
• Flexible to changing demands of research tasks
• Professional approach to work and attention to detail

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter (Optional)

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

  • 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/JPF04494

Help contact: nbrunn@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

Sacramento, CA