Junior Specialist- Meyers Lab
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: March 6, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Apr 4, 2025 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
This position, in direct collaboration with the Principal Investigator(s), will be involved in studying the molecular characteristics of small RNAs in plants.
Research (85%)
As part of the research team, your responsibilities will include DNA and RNA extractions, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, PCR, gel electrophoresis, primer design, and maintaining sterile technique. You will also be responsible for plant maintenance in growth chambers and a greenhouse, as well as RNA and small RNA library preparation. Other duties include preparing solutions and media. You will be expected to develop experimental designs and protocols and implement them, while adhering to strict quality assurance and safety guidelines. Accurate and comprehensive data recording on paper datasheets and Excel spreadsheets is essential. The role also involves testing hypotheses using statistical techniques and creating graphs and summary tables for presentations and publications.
Professional Competence (10%)
The Junior Specialist will work semi-independently, under the supervision of the principal investigator and other lab members. Their responsibilities include participating in the design of the experimental plan and individual experiments. They are also required to maintain a detailed laboratory digital notebook that includes experimental methods and results. Additionally, they will assist in preparing data figures and tables, as well as summarizing results for progress reports.
University and Public Service (5%)
The Junior Specialist will participate in training undergraduate students and present research data in lab meetings and department retreats.
Qualifications
- Baccalaureate degree in Plant Biology, Genetics/Genomics, or Molecular Biology.
- Background in plant molecular biology.
- Experience in extraction, purification and manipulation of nucleic acids from bacteria and eukaryotes (plant preferred).
- Experience in PCR and plasmid-based manipulations for gene and vector assembly.
- Experience in RNA isolation, characterization, and expression analysis.
- Competence in basic bioinformatics tasks, such as sequence analysis, primer design for PCR and gene assembly.
- Knowledge of sequencing methods.
- Knowledge and skills working with Microsoft Suite (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint) for information outreach, data management, and summation.
- Skills to carry out experiments with close attention to detail and limited supervision.
- Skills to pipette small volumes and perform serial dilutions. Ability to calculate chemical concentrations and dilutions.
- Record-keeping skills to accurately record detailed research data collected throughout studies.
- Strong organizational skills. A positive, self-motivated, attitude and excellent problem-solving skills to overcome technical challenges.
Application 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.
Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
- 3 required (contact information only)
Help contact: qrush@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
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