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DNA Manipulation and Sequencing Specialist

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Position overview

Position title: DNA Manipulation and Sequencing Specialist
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility of reappointment. Reappointment may be considered contingent upon the availability of work and appropriate funding.

Position description

The UCSC Paleogenomics Laboratory, in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for research specialist positions in genomic DNA extraction, handling, and sequencing. Under the direction of Dr. Beth Shapiro and Dr. Richard (Ed) Green, the successful candidates will support and assist in research that uses a genomics approach to understand how genetic variation is distributed among populations over geographic space, and how this changes through time. This includes applications in both conservation genomics and paleogenomics.

The duties of this job are to: 1) extract DNA from a variety of tissues, including bone, hair, and other tissues, using in-house protocols; 2) assess the quality of DNA extractions using PCR and other quantitation methods; 3) prepare and quantify genomic libraries for next-generation sequencing; 4) perform next generation sequencing using standard Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) equipment; and 5) perform preliminary quality control analyses of recovered data using bioinformatics approaches. Selected candidates must be able to learn new techniques and implement protocols with attention to detail; participate in the research of UCSC faculty through DNA extraction, genomic library preparation, sequencing, analytical measurements; and provide training and supervision of Paleogenomics Laboratory users.

Applicants with expertise using the Illumina sequencing platform are strongly encouraged to apply.

UCSC Paleogenomics Laboratory: https://pgl.soe.ucsc.edu/

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

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (or equivalent foreign degree) in Molecular or Evolutionary Biology or related scientific.
  • One or more years of laboratory research experience.
  • Knowledge of and experience with troubleshooting DNA extraction, PCR amplification, genomic library preparation, and DNA sequencing protocols.
  • Bioinformatic skills, including knowledge of command-line interfaces and UNIX as well as pipelines for analysis of quality control of NGS data.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.

Reference requirements
  • 2 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of two professional references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Please 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 http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01019

Help contact: szak@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz

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 roberts@ucsc.edu (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 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.

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

Job location

Santa Cruz, California