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Junior Specialist- Carvajal Lab

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Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $49,000 at Step 1 or $52,000 at Step 2

Position description

Supervisor: Dr. Luis Carvajal-Carmona
A Junior Specialist research position is available in the laboratory of Professor Luis Carvajal-Carmona. The Carvajal-Carmona laboratory is located in the UC Davis Genome Center, a state-of-the-art genomic research facility, http://carvajal.genomecenter.ucdavis.edu.

RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (85% EFFORT)

In direct collaboration with the Principal Investigator(s) and senior laboratory members with expertise in cancer modeling (patient-derived organoids and mouse xenografts) and functional genomics, this position will be involved in the establishment and characterization of minority patient-derived cancer models to elucidate clinically relevant molecular subtypes, drug targets and biomarkers for improved cancer treatment and precision medicine, with the ultimate goal of addressing cancer health disparities.

The Junior Specialist will specifically participate in establishing, maintaining, and characterizing 2D and 3D cell cultures and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from human tumor biopsies. Specific tasks will include maintaining primary and established tissue cultures, maintaining mouse xenograft models, performing standard cancer cellular phenotypic assays, drug screens, transient transfections and single-cell cloning. The candidate must be familiar with and able to learn quickly diverse molecular and genomic techniques, including but not limited to quantitative Real Time PCR (RT-qPCR), Western Blot and KASP genotyping.

The Junior Specialist will assist in the preparation of manuscripts for publications, in collaboration with her/his direct supervisor. Manuscript preparation by the candidate will include reviewing the relevant literature and summarizing these reviews in the introduction, describing results and methods used to acquire the results, presenting, and analyzing data obtained by the candidate, constructing clear and informative figures, interpreting the results, and discussing how they fit in the current understanding of the field. Depending on whether the Junior Specialist is first or middle author of the manuscript in preparation, she/he will contribute these items for most of the manuscript or only the part contributed.
Finally, the Junior Specialist will assist with tasks associated with general laboratory management. Specific tasks will include maintenance and restocking of laboratory equipment and general supplies/solutions, biohazardous waste disposal, and laboratory preparations for annual safety inspections.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)

Depending on interest and availability of funds, the undergraduate researcher will have opportunities to present research findings to a larger audience at meetings on the UC Davis campus. The candidate will also assist the supervising investigator in presenting progress reports and final summaries to granting agencies, participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations, and review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

The Junior Specialist will help mentoring undergraduate students and international visitors. They will actively contribute to lab activities via meetings and unit/campus presentations.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  1. Bachelor’s degree in Genetics, Molecular Biology or related field.
  2. Experience in extraction, purification and manipulation of nucleic acids from bacteria and mammalian cells.
  3. Competence in general molecular biology assays such as PCR and gel electrophoresis.
  4. Experience in tissue culture techniques, primary or established mammalian cell lines.
  5. Some research experience in Genetics, Molecular Biology or related field.
Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
  1. Experience in mRNA isolation, characterization and expression analysis.
  2. Experience in protein characterization, such PAGE and western blot.
  3. Experience in microscopy.
  4. Experience working with rodent models.
  5. Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) methods.
  6. Excellent quantitative skills.
  7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching (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 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05740

Help contact: qrush@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