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Junior Specialist – Molecular Plant Biologist-Dinesh-Kumar Lab

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Position description

A Junior Specialist position is available in the laboratory of Professor Savithramma Dinesh-Kumar. The Kumar laboratory operates out of the UC Davis Genome Center, a state-of-the-art genomic research facility, http://www-plb.ucdavis.edu/labs/dinesh-kumar/.

In direct collaboration with the Principal Investigator and other lab personnel, the Junior Specialist will participate in publishable research in the area of host-microbe interactions in plants.

Research (85%)
The candidate will specifically participate in studying molecular basis of host-microbe interactions and developing approaches to express Cas9 and related nucleases and guide RNAs (gRNAs) for gene editing in plants. In addition, the candidate will develop viral vectors to knockdown gene expression by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach. As a member of the research team, work will include cloning, protein expression, gene editing analyses, immunoblotting, disease assays, Agro-based transient expression and VIGS. The candidate will maintain plants in the tissue culture, green house, and growth chambers; and perform plant transformation and genotyping. Additional duties include general laboratory maintenance such ordering supplies, preparation of solutions and media, preparing E. coli and Agrobacterium stocks and maintaining frozen stocks of plasmids.

Professional Competence (10%)
The Junior Specialist is expected to work semi-independently with oversight from the principal investigator, postdoc and graduate student. The candidate is expected to participate in design of the experimental plan and individual experiments. 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 summary of results for progress reports to the funding agency. The candidate will also participate in writing of research results for publication by writing sections of the manuscript and/or help editing the manuscript. The candidate may present research findings in the suitable external scientific meetings on campus or outside depending on the availability of funds.

University and Public Service (5%)
The Junior Specialist will participate in training undergraduate students and present research data in lab meetings and department retreats.

To Apply: Qualified applicants should upload a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, Research Statement, Statement of Contributions to Diversity, and contact information for 3 references via this URL: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF03120

Questions: Please direct questions to Kahla Wallace: kahwallace@ucdavis.edu

The University of California, 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.

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 http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

UC Davis is a smoke & tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/). If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department.

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)
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Job location

Davis, Ca