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Junior Specialist in the Marco Lab

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Position description

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The position of Junior Specialist provides technical or specialized expertise in the planning and execution of a research project. The Junior Specialist stays apprised of the research area and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. We are seeking a Junior Specialist to join our research team studying food and gut microbiomes. Our team is interested in understanding the relationships between microbes in foods that impact food quality and taste. We are also investigating the relationships between microbes in the mammalian digestive tract, including those microbes ingested in foods and beverages. Specifically, our research focuses on fundamental biology of microbial interactions with each other and their environments. Outcomes of our research includes improvements in food processing methods and methods to improve gut health through nutritional and other approaches. The role of this position is to provide specialized expertise in microbiology and molecular biology for the lab of Prof. Maria Marco at UC Davis. The Junior Specialist is to be actively and significantly engaged in research involving several projects on foods (dairy foods, fermented foods) and gut microbiomes (human and animal). This research may also use animal and cell culture models to understand the ecological fitness of potential probiotics and their interaction with the gut microbial communities and the host. The Junior Specialist will have the opportunity to have creative input into the design of and selection of experiments to meet the study objectives. The Junior Specialist will be expected to analyze and interpret data he/she collects and then, through critical thinking, propose next steps (experiments) to be discussed with the PI. The incumbent will contribute significantly to the advancement of the projects, and creatively contribute proposals of experimental steps that result from research findings. These activities may lead to manuscripts published in peer-reviewed microbiology journals. This is an inherently creative process that requires good to excellent experience of the field and appropriate research literature. As the Junior Specialist will be consulted during study design, candidates are expected to have previous experience in microbiology or molecular biology with basic microbiological and laboratory practices including sterile technique, serial dilutions, plating, pipetting. Preferred qualifications include plating methods for propagation, enumeration and isolation of bacterial species, DNA extractions from feces and other environmental samples, PCR, qPCR, high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, eukaryotic cell culture techniques, and Western blotting. The successful candidate needs to have excellent communication and organizational skills. The candidate should be able to work independently after initial training, be meticulous and alert, and be comfortable with automatic, repetitive tasks. The Junior Specialist will also contribute to the day-to-day laboratory management duties, including supplies acquisition, safety reporting, and equipment maintenance. The junior specialist will also lead the training and mentoring of undergraduate assistance, training them in basic microbiology skills. In addition to research, the Junior Specialist will participate and present in weekly Marco Lab meetings. If the results warrant, the Junior Specialist may have the opportunity to attend and present their research they were involved in local and international research conferences.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90%)
a. The Junior Specialist will use their academic and professional expertise to make scientific contributions to a research study and will contribute to published research. Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the Junior Specialist will collaborate with other research personnel as part of projects that concentrate on the study of food and gut microbiomes. Specifically, the research focuses on fundamental biology of microbial interactions with each other and their environments. Outcomes of our research includes improvements in food processing methods for healthier and tastier foods and methods to improve gut health through nutritional and other approaches.
b. The Junior Specialist will be actively engaged in preparation of samples for microbiome analysis, standard microbiological techniques, eukaryotic cell culture, molecular biology techniques such as PCR and QPCR and bacterial transformations.
c. The Junior Specialist will assist with laboratory maintenance tasks, including safety management, maintaining the chemical inventory, managing lab waste, and other lab maintenance tasks.
d. The Junior Specialist will be responsible for quality checking of results and for maintaining appropriate backups of project data.
e. The Junior Specialist will draft tables and figures for scientific publications. Similarly, the candidate will participate in the drafting and revising of study manuscripts on an as needed basis.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)
a. The Junior Specialist will participate in appropriate professional societies or groups in the field of microbiology, food science, and nutrition.
b. The Junior Specialist will offer technical and creative contributions to the manuscript preparation.
c. The Junior Specialist will conduct literature searches for articles relevant to the research topic, engage in discussions of data with the Principal Investigators, and contribute to manuscript preparation and presentation of research findings.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0%)
The Junior Specialist is not expected to participate in university or public service.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• BS in microbiology, molecular biology, or other related field
(degree must be awarded by start of the position)

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

• Experience in microbiological research
• Experience in basic laboratory practices including sterile technique, serial dilutions, plating, pipetting, etc.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
Knowledge of plating methods for propagation, enumeration and isolation of bacterial species
• Experience in environmental DNA extractions and PCR
• Experience using PCR and quantitative real-time PCR
• Species identification by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences (bacteria)
• Identification of bacteria in mixed communities (high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatics)
• Protein analysis by Western blot
• Comfortable working with biological human and animal samples.

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.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05006

Help contact: ansjacobs@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