CALeDNA Assistant Research Scientist

Position overview

Position title: CALeDNA Assistant Research Scientist (Assistant Research)

Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled, Represented Professional Reserch Series Fiscal Year. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimate for this position is $87,100 - $88,000.

Percent time: Full-time (100%)

Anticipated start: As soon as possible after the initial review of applications.

Position duration: Initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: June 12, 2023

Next review date: Wednesday, Jul 12, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 11, 2024 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

The Meyer Laboratory in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of CALeDNA Assistant Research Scientist. Under the direction of Dr. Rachel Meyer, the research scientist will join the leadership team of CALeDNA to direct research and outreach projects and manage the team. The successful candidate will lead community research and outreach for the CALeDNA program, working with both the National Park Service, college students, and many other clients and collaborators. Given the nature of the position, the incumbent will have to consistently demonstrate excellent communication and outreach skills.

All facets of the research lifespan must be able to be performed excellently by the successful candidate. Their duties would include:

Both consulting and project design using metabarcoding, qPCR, or reference sequence development. Sampling that design for eDNA and remote sensing data integration.

Performing lab work to extract DNA, perform qPCR assays, or DNA extraction and PCR optimization for difficult samples. As well as creating genomic, metagenomic, and metabarcoding libraries.

Analyze sequence data with Anacapa or other common software, and perform community ecology analyses in R.

They will need to generate reports, posters, and infographics; provide talks and informal communications, and publish peer reviewed manuscripts on the research.

Take people on outdoor trips and hike for hours with sampling equipment, by leading the team and making sure volunteers stay safe and happy.

Write grant proposals and do development with local, state agency and national leaders.

This candidate would be encouraged to be a supportive member within the EEB department, by participating in department activities, and being supportive and respectful of their fellow colleagues. As well as helping other labs to utilize the shared molecular resources managed by the Meyer Lab, located at the Coastal Biology Building and the UCSC Paleogenomics Lab.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

CALeDNA : https: // ucedna.com/

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department : https: // www. eeb.ucsc.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent foreign degree) in biology, biochemistry, or related scientific field.

Minimum of five years' experience as a Postdoctoral Scholar/Scientist in natural sciences.

Minimum of six months' experience with eDNA metabarcoding.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications.

Cover Letter

Statement of Research

Reference requirements

3 letters of reference required

Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement at https:// apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

Apply link: https: // recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01555

Help contact: [email protected]

Campus Information

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, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

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 UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https: // www. uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https: // apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at [email protected] (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https: // www. hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https: // ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC- recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. Additional information and resources for compliance are located on the campus Health Center site

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https: // www. ucsc.edu

Job location

Santa Cruz, California