CALeDNA Assistant Researcher

The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of CALeDNA Assistant Researcher. Under the direction of Dr. Rachel Meyer, the researcher will join the leadership team of CALeDNA to contribute to research, project management, and lab administration. The successful candidate will be a lab project manager for eDNA Explorer projects run through CALeDNA and assist in research that uses a diversity of omics approaches, with an emphasis on eDNA metabarcoding. The candidate will collaborate closely with the eDNA Explorer team, college students, and a wide range of clients and collaborators. Given the nature of the position, the incumbent will have to consistently demonstrate excellent communication and organization skills.

Duties

All facets of the research lifespan must be performed with excellence by the CALeDNA researcher. Sample duties include:

1. Perform lab work to extract DNA, perform qPCR assays, or DNA extraction and PCR optimization for difficult samples.
2. Create genomic, metagenomic, and metabarcoding libraries.
3. Create preliminary quality control analyses of recovered data using bioinformatics approaches and synthesize the research they carry out into summary reports as well as upload data into various repositories, including but not limited to, eDNA Explorer, NCBI, and GBIF.
4. Consult on research with external lab groups. This will include ensuring supplies are sent out and in turn research samples are received back alongside associated documentation and/or data. This also includes reviewing preliminary results, troubleshooting and making reports.
5. Coordinate the laboratories' research space and ensure regulatory compliance for the labs.
6. Contribute to manuscripts on the science being performed.

The selected candidate must be able to learn new techniques, implement protocols with attention to detail, and participate in the research of UCSC faculty through DNA extraction, genomic library preparation, sequencing, analytical measurements, and training users.

Applicants with experience or expertise in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

-Expertise in bioinformatic skills, including proficiency with command-line interfaces, UNIX, and pipelines for quality control analysis of NGS data.

-Experience using various repositories, including but not limited to, eDNA Explorer, NCBI, and GBIF, to upload data.

-Experience in developing liquid handling automation protocols and scripting for platforms (such as the Opentrons OT-2 or Bravo Liquid Handler).

-Experience with Monday.com for task/project management and workflow automation.

-Experience with Atlassian tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Trello) for project tracking, documentation, and collaboration.

This candidate would be encouraged to be a supportive member within the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 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.

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

CALeDNA Lab: https://ucedna.com/

• Bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent foreign degree) in molecular biology, evolutionary biology, or a related scientific field.
• A minimum of two years of post-baccalaureate experience in laboratory research.
• Demonstrated experience with troubleshooting DNA extraction, PCR amplification, genomic library preparation, and DNA sequencing protocols.

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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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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

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. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

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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 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.

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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