CALeDNA Lab Manager

Location: Santa Cruz
Job ID: 46378

JOB POSTING

NOTIFICATIONS

UC Vaccination Policy: With limited exceptions, COVID-19 vaccinations are required for Covered Individuals under the Policy. Covered Individuals include all employees, students, or trainees who physically access a University facility or program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training.

Covered Individuals do NOT include employees who work 100% remotely with NO expectation that they will physically access any University location or program at ANY time. If 100% remote work ends, the employee is subject to policy.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz staff jobs are posted until filled. Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. NOTE: Materials submitted after the IRD will be forwarded only at the request of the hiring unit. Submit your materials before the IRD to ensure consideration by the hiring unit.

The IRD for this job is: 01-03-2023

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The CALeDNA (www.ucedna.com) citizen science environmental DNA program is conducting research projects with the National Park Service and other natural areas managers to identify and map biodiversity across the country. We are looking for a full- time laboratory assistant to assist with research projects, generate environmental DNA data, and learn and participate in analyses and writing. The lab assistant will also be the safety captain and manage frozen environmental sample collections as research resources. Occasionally, the lab assistant will work with other members of the UCSC Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department for cross-training and to help each other, and will attend professional development activities. We are looking for someone who wants to go into molecular evolution or ecology research and build experience that will help them prepare for graduate school, natural resource management, industry, or not-for-profit research.

The incumbent will be working on a very special project with the National Park Service to help them detect aquatic invasive species from eDNA. For this we will sequence and assemble organellar genomes from plants and animals, and we will be designing qPCR primers for eDNA surveillance.

Under the supervision by Rachel Meyer, the incumbent will serve as a member of a research team collecting environmental DNA for biodiversity, ecology, and earth science topics. The incumbent will help maintain the laboratory, help to train new researchers and visiting researchers, help informatically analyze data and manage sample collections. The incumbent will scale up social media presence, handle the logistics of workshop organization, and assist with planning bioblitzes and other outreach activities focused on eDNA.

The incumbent will spend 90% of their time at UCSC Coastal Biology Building and 10% of their time at the UCSC main campus Biomed building for group activities with the Paleogenomics Laboratory.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Salary Information: $21.18/hour.

No. of Positions: 2

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: This is a Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: TX Union

Job Code Classification: 009603 (LAB AST 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Process Samples

• Responsible for sample organization, DNA extraction, metabarcoding, and DNA library preparation. Work with the Paleogenomics Lab team to sequence samples and promptly save the data once available. Inventory the supplies consumed and restock the lab when needed.

30% - Training and Community Engagement

• Demonstrate all sample processing steps and help undergraduate and graduate students and visiting researchers learn to use lab equipment safely. Keep the supplies stocked and in their proper place, and take care of equipment to maintain safety. Run Bioblitzes, which are group outdoor excursions to collect eDNA samples. The incumbent will recruit volunteers to be citizen scientists in the Bioblitz, will lead hikes, train volunteers in sample collection and iNaturalist use, and help keep people safe and together.

25% - Data Processing and Analysis

• Conduct informatics research on eDNA data using Linux and high performance servers, which includes using the Anacapa Toolkit. Use these products for community ecology analyses in R, including for example, the packages VEGAN, Phyloseq, and SpIEC-EASI. Write reports of the methods, results, and interpretation.

15% - Administrative and Communications Support

• Contribute to blog posts such as text and photos to the Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and CALeDNA web pages. Help curate content so it is accurate and updated. Assist the Genomics Institute to develop content and communications that elevate the Genomics Institute - eDNA work profile. Assist with travel and meeting activities, help manage receipts and reimbursements, and assist with other tasks related to research administration.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge such as attained in lower level division coursework leading to a Bachelor's Degree in Biology or other related field or a combination of equivalent training and/or experience.
• Competency to make DNA libraries.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, good judgment and discretion.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of social media platforms.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Basic skills in R and Linux.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of Molecular Ecology BIOE 137 Lecture and Lab, or equivalent.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to walk and/or hike outdoors for extended amount of time.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• The University of California has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

HOW TO APPLY

Attach your resume and cover letter when applying for this job opening. Do not attach any documents to 'My Activities'. Visit our How to Apply tutorial for detailed instructions on our applicant process.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment 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.


APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=46378&PostingSeq=1

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

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