Recruit

Assistant 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 Assistant 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 Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology or a related field with a minimum of five years experience in laboratory research. Preferred qualifications include experience with lab animal (rodent) handling.

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%):

• Experience with basic DNA isolation and PCR for genotyping rodent colonies.
• Experience with tissue culture systems.
• Dissection of mouse ocular tissues, embedding, sectioning, staining slides with antibodies (immunohistochemistry), and microscopy. This may be learned on the job.
• Experience with 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 is 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 is expected to mentor undergraduates in the lab, participate and contribute to laboratory and group meetings and other activities, as applicable. Experience with this is preferred.
• 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 October 22, 2023. Qualified applicants should apply online at UC Recruit: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF06094. Applicants should submit 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 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

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