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Assistant Specialist - Estuarine Water Quality, Food Web Dynamics and Fish Ecology

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Position overview

Salary range: Commensurate on experience level with a minimum salary of $56,600/year.

Position description

Assistant Specialist I – Estuarine Water Quality, Food Web Dynamics and Fish Ecology

NATURE AND PURPOSE

This position of Specialist provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. Candidates must be apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintain technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to participate in the planning of research and educational programs.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. Research in specialized areas (85% effort)

The research objective of this position is to improve understanding of the impact of water quality, food web dynamics and fish ecology in natural, restored and managed tidal systems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Specialized field, laboratory and data analysis techniques will be utilized to ensure that data are properly collected and analyzed. The researcher will be expected to work with limited supervision and to make substantial contributions toward publishable research.

Field work will involve collecting fish, macroinvertebrates, and zooplankton, and water quality samples both in calm and swift-water conditions both wading and from boats. Deploy otter trawls, beach seines and similar nets for fish sampling, zooplankton nets for macroinvertebrate sampling, and water quality instrumentation and collect samples for water quality laboratory analysis.

Design and implement primary and/or secondary production rate experiments in laboratory and field. Maintain cultures to support incubations to determine growth rates as necessary, and use and maintain temperature- and light-controlled environments to support experimental incubations. Use next-generation oxygen- and carbon dioxide-data loggers under laboratory and field conditions.

This position includes specialized laboratory and data analysis of zooplankton samples and fish gut contents (identification to lowest taxonomic level for both zooplankton and macroinvertebrates). Candidate will be familiar and able to QC data and enter into project databases using MS Access. Candidate is expected to analyze laboratory and field data using MS Excel, plotting software and the R statistical programming language.

Oversee and manage a busy working laboratory used by multiple scientists working on separate projects. This includes ensuring that the lab passes safety inspections, that it is well maintained and stocked with necessary supplies, and remains clean and efficient.

Serve as a research coordinator for linked water quality, food web dynamics and fish ecology projects conducted by PIs in the Center for Watershed Sciences, using specialized expertise, ensuring uninterrupted communication between field, laboratory, and data management.

Project functions and project output functions including preparation of reports, posters, and participation in manuscript writing. Creative activities include assisting in project design, grant writing, proposal review and data analysis by providing to these endeavors the specialized expertise in water quality, food web dynamics and fish ecology for the PIs in the Center for Watershed Sciences.

Responsible for writing grant reports for agencies on projects within the area of expertise as requested by PIs and for writing research methods sections of papers in areas of expertise and reviews/comments on manuscripts.

II. Professional competence and activity (10% effort)

Develop relationships with partner agencies though attendance and participation in professional meetings, workshops or conferences. Where opportunities allow, the candidate will review proposals or publications related to their areas of scientific expertise and practical experience.

III. University and public service (5% effort)

Act as technical liaison on issues of water quality, food web and fish ecology and respond to the needs of local agencies (Solano County Water Agency) state agencies (DWR, SWRCB, CDFW) and federal agencies (NOAA, NMFS, USFWS, USEPA), NGOs (Putah Creek Council, CalTrout, TNC, and similar) and other external groups. Serve on committees of department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate. Mentoring skills to support their role as a mentor and trainer to students and junior specialists pursuing a similar area of study.

SALARY:
Commensurate on experience level, with a minimum of $56,600. Benefits included for 12 months duration appointment at full-time of 100%.

HOW TO APPLY:
Create an Application ID
Provide required information and upload documents
If any, provide required reference information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
• Curriculum Vitae - Current/updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants.
Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Master's degree (completed or expected by start date) in ecology, fisheries, hydrology, biology or related fields, or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

Three years’ experience in field and laboratory research.

Current driver’s license.

Experience in small boat safety and handling.

Ability to assist with maintaining all research equipment and vehicles .

Field experience wading and from boats deploying otter trawls, seines or similar nets to sample fish and in collecting zooplankton, macroinvertebrate and water quality samples.

Experience in using water quality instrumentation to collect field data.

Experience in laboratory analysis of zooplankton samples and fish gut contents.

Knowledge of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate identification.

Experience using Office Software suit or comparable computer software.

Knowledge of data entry techniques and quality control during and after entry of data into databases.

Knowledge of statistical analysis using R statistical programming language.

Organizational and time management skills for serving as research coordinator.

Experience synthesizing and analyzing data.

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

Experience in designing and deploying primary and secondary production rate experiments in laboratory and field.

Knowledge of California fresh water and estuarine fishes.

Writing skill to contribute methods sections to peer reviewed publications and to review publications and proposals within area of specialized expertise.

Knowledge to contribute to creative activities including project design, grant writing, proposal review and data analysis in the areas of water quality, food web dynamics and fish ecology.

Demonstrated leadership experience.

Demonstrated ability to organize, execute and evaluate a research project.

Certifications in Wilderness First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue and Small Boat Handling

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/JPF05293

Help contact: nbmorrill@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