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Unicellular Nitrogen-fixing Symbiosis Scientist

Position overview

Position title: Unicellular Nitrogen-fixing Symbiosis Scientist
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 Project ___ (E.g., Scientist) Series Fiscal Year. 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 $74,100 - $82,100.
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: November 8, 2024

Most recent review date: Monday, Dec 9, 2024 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: Thursday, Jan 2, 2025 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 Ocean Sciences Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a Unicellular Nitrogen-fixing Symbiosis Scientist.

Under the direction of Professor Jonathan Zehr, the assistant project scientist will work on the biological mechanisms involved in cyanobacteria-algal symbiosis, now believed to be an early-stage organelle. The candidate will be responsible for designing experiments using a variety of techniques in cultivation and flow cytometry of algal cultures in order to perform experiments in gene transcription, proteomics, protein import and support collaborative work in cell imaging using cryo-EM.

Duties will include performing coincident measurements of photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation rates using stable isotopes. The candidate will be expected to analyze data and write manuscripts and grant proposals.

Applicants with expertise or experience in the following areas are encouraged to apply: proteomics including sample preparation, data reduction and analysis; N2 fixation measurements using the acetylene reduction assay; microalgal genomics and metabolism; familiarity with cell imaging techniques including Soft X-ray tomography and cryo-EM; and marine microbiology, in particular eukatryotic algal systems.

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

Ocean Sciences Department: https://science.ucsc.edu/department/ocea/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)
  • Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in microbiology or a related field.
  • A minimum three years of Postdoctoral Scholar/Scientist training that includes hands-on technician laboratory work as well as design and interpretation of experiments.
  • Demonstrated experience with cultivation of algal-cyanobacterial symbiosis.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications. Please include DOI links or the URLs of PDFs for any publications listed on your CV.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. 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/JPF01836

Help contact: zehrj@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 Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.

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.

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.

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 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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Job location

Santa Cruz, CA