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Jr Specialist - Infectious Diseases Unit (Ardeshir & Van Rompay)

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Position description

Drs. Amir Ardeshir and Koen Van Rompay at the California National Primate Research Center seek to fill a full-time research assistant position at the Junior Specialist level. The successful candidates will be involved with studies focused on gaining a better understanding of viral/microbial interactions with nonhuman primates and other animal model hosts. Studying the mechanism of disease progression and developing interventions against viruses, including HIV, Zika virus, SARS-Cov-2.

I. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (90%)
60% RESEARCH-FOCUSED LABORATORY WORK (INCL. SAMPLE PROCESSING & ASSAYS)
• Provide support in the daily workflow of processing various types of samples and data collection reporting, which includes scheduling, data entry, labeling, processing, storing, inventorying, and shipping samples.
• Prepare reagents, vaccine doses, challenge doses, and treatment cocktails.
• Assist laboratory staff in performing assays such as enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, PCR, and tissue culture.
• Assist laboratory staff in sample collection and processing at necropsy, endoscopic procedures, surgical procedures, clinical roundups.
• Assist in training new employees, students, and collaborators in general lab protocols and procedures.
• Interact with investigators, technicians within and beyond the lab, and shipping companies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and log of the samples and safety documents.
• Maintain and archive specimens.
• Review manuscripts in collaboration with the principal investigator for accuracy prior to submission. Assist with summarizing data, including creating tables, graphs, and figures.

20% ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES and DATA MANAGEMENT
• Operate computers for database management, analysis, word processing, and document preparation (MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Prism, R, Endnote, and Oracle).
• Maintain laboratory website in collaboration with the IT personnel.
• Review, copy, organize, and mail reports to collaborators.
• Organize and file lab forms. Maintain detailed, accurate, organized records of all laboratory experiments, procedures, data, and communications related to laboratory business.
• Retrieve computerized information through websites via the internet.
• Create and maintain bibliographic databases.

10% LAB MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
• Restocking laboratory supplies and reagents
• Perform standard operating procedures, including biohazard and chemical safety for core, shared use, and research laboratories.
• Train, monitor, and schedule users.
• Update and revise current protocols and monitor for compliance.
• Perform quality control of machines and instruments.
• Perform preventative maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment.
• Assist in the supervision of Student Assistants.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
A. Assist in preparing research presentations for local stakeholder groups, regional meetings, and appropriate national meetings. Presentations will be delivered in poster and/or oral presentation formats. Incumbent will be encouraged to have membership with the American Society for Microbiology or similar professional society.
B. Taking online courses related to the work including project management, organizational development, safety services, data science, R programming,

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
A. Participate in mentoring of undergraduate students in the research laboratory as appropriate.
B. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus, and other University entities, as appropriate.
C. Participate in supporting activities related to teaching where expertise is appropriate. This may include assisting the principal investigator with teaching activities related to medical microbiology and immunology.

Work Environment
• Measles vaccination or proof of illness required. This position is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.
• Employee shall participate in required preventative medical and medical monitoring programs which may include blood tests, immunizations, TB screening, Blood borne and Airborne Pathogen training, etc., and are provided to meet Federal, State and University requirements.
• Must be willing to perform assigned duties in a BioSafety Level (BSL) 2 or 3 facility where nonhuman primates may be either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous infectious agents such as HIV, SIV or Herpes B virus; working area is located within a defined animal area and may include biohazards.
• Work in are as where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
• Required to wear protective clothing in circumstances that require personal protection from infectious diseases and animals.
• Work occasional overtime. Work occasional weekends and holidays.
• Provide after hours, weekend and holiday emergency support as required.
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 20 14.
Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated
nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis
owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and
residential space.
• California National Primate Research Center employees are directly or
indirectly engaged in the performance of work on Federal or State contracts
and grants as well as periodically come into contact with controlled
substances; and are expected to abide by the UC Policy on Substance Abuse,
the Federal Drug -Free Workplace Act of 1988, and the State Drug-Free
Workplace Act of 1990

Please provide a most recently updated curriculum vitae along with a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, or equivalent.
• Experience using MS Excel for data entry, upload, review, and maintenance.
• Experience following research protocols, and oral/written instructions with attention to detail.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact professionally with a diverse group of people including but not limited to investigators, visitors, veterinarians, students and staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Laboratory experience processing biological samples.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills for research and technical problems.
• Ability to use scientific terminology effectively.
• Organizational skills to coordinate projects, summarize data, prioritize workload and follow schedules, meet deadlines, to accommodate changes in projects as the need arises, and strict attention to detail with high level of efficiency.
• Experience working in a BSL2+ or greater facility.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • 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.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04431

Help contact: kshewing@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

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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

Davis, CA