CALeDNA Assistant Research Scientist
Position overview
Position title: CALeDNA Assistant Research Scientist (Assistant Research)Application Window
Open date: June 12, 2023
Most recent review date: Wednesday, Jul 12, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
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
- 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
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
- 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 http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.
Help contact: rameyer@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