Junior Specialist - At Lab

Position Overview

Salary range:
The exempt salary for Junior Specialist, Step 1: $57,000/yr, Step 2: $60,700/yr. The non-exempt salary for the Jr. Specialist position is Step 1: $27.30, Step 2: $29.08.

• I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (80% EFFORT)

  This position requires creative contributions and collaborative development of an ongoing research program investigating the prevalence of foodborne, waterborne, airborne pathogens from different environmental matrices, such as feces, soil, sediment, surface water, etc. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator and collaborate with personnel affiliated with research activities, involving sample receiving, preparation for culture-dependent and culture-independent metagenomics, and other laboratory duties.
  
  The candidate will help with bacteriological assays, such as enrichment, IMS, targeted bacteria isolation, and molecular characterization of bacterial isolates such as
  
  E. coli O157, Non-O157 STEC, etc. obtained from multiple research projects. Responsibilities include proficiency with qPCR with Fast real-time 7500 PCR system and Quant Studio 3 real-time PCR, IMS (immunomagnetic separation) with Kingfisher DUO Prime. The candidate will follow standard operating procedures and maintain a clean, orderly laboratory and assist other lab members in their work. Additionally, the position involves fieldwork and occasional overnight travel within the state to collect samples as required by project needs.

• II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% EFFORT)

  The candidate will assist with the preparation of manuscripts and publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals, books, and other outlets in collaboration with the PI and other team members. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings, or educational functions.

• III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10% EFFORT)

  The Junior Specialist will participate in training activities with the lab. The candidate may mentor students or technicians regarding technical aspects of the research, including methods development, troubleshooting, interpreting results, and planning follow‑up experiments.

• Basic qualifications
  • Previous laboratory experience
  • Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Medical Microbiology
• Preferred qualifications
  • Proficient with qPCR (Fast real‑time 7500 PCR system, Quant Studio
    3) and IMS with Kingfisher DUO Prime
  • Experience investigating foodborne, waterborne, airborne pathogens from various environmental matrices such as feces, soil, sediment, and surface water

Davis, CA

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state for federal law.