Recruit

The Blumwald Lab in the Department of Plant Sciences is recruiting for a full-time Associate Specialist. The candidate will use a Systems Biology approach to identify and characterize the molecular/biochemical/physiological events acting on the establishment of plant roots/soil diazotrophic bacteria interactions and the signal transduction pathways mechanisms associated with them. The candidate should have demonstrated expertise in: 1) growth of cereal crops in vitro and under greenhouse conditions; 2) root/soil bacteria interactions with emphasis in the relationship(s) between plant roots and soil microbiome; 3) molecular biology, vector construction, plant and bacteria genetic transformation. A demonstrated solid experience in microbiome new-generation sequencing and fluorescence microscopy is a prerequisite for this position. The position if for one year and is renewable up for 3 years, depending on performance and available funds.

The specialist will be responsible for:

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% EFFORT)

1) Molecular biology, bacterial transformation, and sequencing . The candidate will express/delete genes of interest in different diazotrophic bacteria.

2) The candidate will extract and sequence DNA from different rhizospheres (bacteria associated with root microbiome of cereal plants). In addition, will identify and functionally characterize bacterial isolates.

3) The candidate will perform different protein/protein interaction methodologies and perform protein and enzyme biochemistry.

4) Plant growth and propagation in greenhouses.

5) Data analysis, interpretation, and visualization.

6) Writing reports and papers.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5 % EFFORT)

1) Prepare results for presentations by the PI and project collaborators for extension meetings.

2) Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups as well as other educational and research organizations relevant to area of research.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

A. As part of the Research Group, host k-12 and undergraduate classes to demonstrate genetic transformation methods.

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 condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment.(Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.