Recruit

The laboratory of Dr. Savithramma Dinesh-Kumar wishes to employ a Junior Specialist, who will work 75% of the time from March 1, 2024, to February 27, 2025, on the molecular basis of plant immunity against pathogens. The Junior Specialist will work directly with the Principal Investigator.

1. Research (90%)
   The candidate will investigate the role of genes in immune signaling in plants. The candidate will develop plant viral and non-viral vectors to express transgenes and gene-editing components in plants to induce gene modifications toward understanding the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions. In addition, the candidate will develop viral vectors to knock down gene expression using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach and overexpress proteins. As a research team member, I will work on cloning, which involves amplifying viral sequences using PCR, confirming these clones by colony PCR and Sanger DNA sequencing, and then doing data analysis. The candidate will optimize infection methods and test the infectivity of cloned viral clones in plants; evaluate the expression of transgenes and Cas nucleases and expression of gRNAs and VIGS by Agrobacterium-mediated transient assays. Screening edited progenies by genotyping and sequencing. The candidate will maintain plants in the tissue culture, greenhouse, and growth chambers and perform Agrobacterium-mediated transient plant transformation and genotyping to assess the gene editing efficiency. Additional duties include general laboratory maintenance such as ordering supplies, preparation of solutions and media, preparing E. coli and Agrobacterium stocks, and maintaining frozen stocks of plasmids. Strong work ethics is expected. The candidate will assist in preparing data for presentations and publications.

2. Professional Competence and Activities (5%)
   The Junior Specialist is expected to work semi-independently with oversight from the principal investigator, postdoc, and graduate students. The candidate will keep a detailed laboratory notebook/digital notebook, including experimental methods and results. The candidate will assist in preparing data figures and tables and a summary of results for progress reports to the funding agency. The candidate will also participate in writing research results for publication by writing sections of the manuscript and help editing the manuscript. The candidate will participate in lab meetings and monthly journal updates. The candidate may present research findings in suitable external scientific meetings on campus or outside, depending on the availability of funds.

3. University and Public Service (5%)
   The Junior Specialist will actively contribute to lab activities through meetings, unit/campus presentations, and lab outreach activities.

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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.