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Junior Specialist/Grettenberger Lab

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Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $49,000

Position description

Junior Specialist Position Description in the Grettenberger Lab
Department of Entomology and Nematology, UC Davis

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and 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. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide mentorship, facilitate teamwork and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.

Overview:
We aim to hire a Junior Specialist, Step 1 to conduct research in integrated pest management and insect ecology. The Junior Specialist will help on a number of projects related to pest management in field and vegetable crops. This includes, but is not limited to, studies in rice, cole crops, and cotton. Projects will be examining insecticide resistance levels in diamondback moth, efficacy of registered and experimental insecticides in cotton, biological control in lettuce for thrips and aphid management, and management of rice seed midge in rice. Primary duties will involve executing lab experiments, maintaining colonies of insects, setting up and deploying field trials, sampling and identifying insects, managing data, and presenting results.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Research (80%): The incumbent of this position will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities through the following roles and duties:
• Assist with field sampling of diamondback moth populations.
• Assist with greenhouse maintenance of diamondback moth populations and conducting lab assays to quantify insecticide resistance.
• Participate in laying out research plots for lettuce IPM field trials and sampling insects from these plots
• Assist with field trials examining insecticide efficacy in cotton, which will include sprayer setup and calibration, assisting with applications, sampling arthropods from the plots, and processing insect populations.
• Assist the PI and other lab members with greenhouse studies
• Assist the PI or other lab members in manuscript preparation, including but not limited to: reading academic literature, writing manuscript sections, and revising manuscripts based on conducted work.
• As appropriate, assist other field, greenhouse, and laboratory work examining aspects of management of pests and ecology of pests and natural enemies

Professional competence (15%):
• The incumbent will present research, with possibilities at extension meetings, regional entomology meetings, or national entomology meetings. The incumbent will deliver presentations in poster and/or oral formats.
• The incumbent will be encouraged to participate in weekly lab meetings, weekly meetings of the joint insect ecology laboratory meetings held within the Department of Entomology and Nematology, and to attend weekly seminars in the Department of Entomology and Nematology.
• The incumbent will be encouraged to have membership with the Entomological Society of America.

University and Public Service (5%):
• As a component of university service, the incumbent will also be asked to serve on one or more department committees, such as the Department Safety Committee or the Facilities Committee.
• As a public service, the incumbent will also be encouraged to participate in outreach activities, such as those held as part of events hosted by the Bohart Museum of Entomology, the Department of Entomology and Nematology or conducted independently by the Grettenberger lab.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science or equivalent degree (Biology, Entomology, Ecology, or similar field).

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Must possess a valid driver's license.

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

The ideal candidate will have the ability to work well independently as well as part of a team. They will also have strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Other preferred, but not required, qualifications are:
• Experience rearing and optimizing rearing of insects
• Experience with greenhouse and/or growth chamber plant/insect studies
• Experience with insect identification
• Experience conducting field agricultural research and sampling insect populations
• Experience inputting and managing data, including the use of Excel, R, or similar
• Willing and capable of driving to and working in outdoor, sometimes distant, agricultural locations in hot weather. Overnight travel and long travel days associated with research may occasionally be required.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter - Describe your related interests, experiences, and career goals.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05603

Help contact: syoranchak@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.

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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