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Junior Specialist - Sieving

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $49,000 at Step 1 and $52,200 at Step 2.

Application Window

Open date: July 19, 2023

Most recent review date: Saturday, Aug 19, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Junior Specialist Position
Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science
UC Davis School of Medicine

The Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science at the UC Davis School of Medicine is seeking a full-time Junior Specialist.

The purpose of this position is to provide support, coordination, and leadership for biological research studies of Dr. Paul Sieving, MD PhD, preferably for a 2-year commitment, but one year will also be considered. The Sieving lab wishes to fill this position as soon as possible.

The incumbent will be expected to perform experiments with transgenic mice, molecular biology, cell culture, and analyze and prepare data for oral presentations and for publications in scientific journals.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology or a related field with a minimum of two years experience in laboratory research. Preferred qualifications include experience with lab animal (rodent) handling, but this is not required.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to work independently. Some experience with data analysis, statistics, and genomics is preferred. A background in vision science is beneficial, but not required.

The incumbent will participate in the following duties:

Research (90%):

  • Use basic DNA isolation and PCR for genotyping rodent colonies.
  • Dissection of mouse ocular tissues, embedding, sectioning, staining slides with antibodies (immunohistochemistry), and microscopy. This may be learned on the job.
  • Work with tissue culture systems.
  • DNA/RNA preps, qPCR, and other assays depending on the project.
  • Help with lab maintenance, including staying compliant with safety standards and inspections, ordering lab supplies, as well as completing paperwork.
  • Prepares manuscripts for publications in collaboration with the principal investigator.

Professional Competence (5%):

  • The candidate will be expected to attend symposia and conferences, participate and contribute to departmental and other seminars, journal clubs, and other activities, as applicable. The incumbent will present research at regional and appropriate national meetings such as ARVO and AAO. Presentations will be delivered in poster and/or oral format.

University and Public Service (5%):

  • Candidate will be expected to mentor undergraduates in the lab, participate and contribute to laboratory and group meetings and other activities, as applicable.
  • As a full-time research group member, this position includes responsibility for maintaining safety standards and meeting regulatory requirements, staff training and mentoring.

For full consideration, applications must be received by June 8, 2023; however, the position will remain open until filled through May 31, 2024. Qualified applicants should apply online at UC Recruit: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF05769. Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for up to 3 references. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files. Please direct questions to Ashley Bellmer @ ambellmer@ucdavis.edu.

UC Davis commits to inclusion excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. 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 UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/). If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Bachelors degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology,
  • Or a related field with a minimum of two years of experience in laboratory research.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently.
  • Ability to mentor undergraduates in the lab.
  • Takes initiative, makes critical decisions, and communicates ideas.
Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
  • Some experience with data analysis, statistics, and genomics is preferred.
  • A background in vision science is beneficial, but not required.
  • Experience with lab animal (rodent) handling, but this is not required.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • 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.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05769

Help contact: ambellmer@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

Sacramento, CA