SRA 2 NEX (Molecular Biologist)

Want to be part of an early warning system that helps to protect the health of California’s livestock and poultry? We are looking for a Molecular Biologist to work alongside our world leading faculty and technicians, helping to safeguard the public health with rapid and reliable diagnoses for animal diseases including those affecting humans.

As part of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System within the top-ranked UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, our Molecular Biologists are provided the following benefits:

PERSONAL LEAVE

· Vacation – Eligible to earn up to (3) three weeks per year

· Sick Leave – Eligible to earn up to 8 hours per month (no maximum)

· Holiday Pay – 14 paid holidays per year (Full-Time Position)

COMPENSATION

· Competitive pay plus retirement

INSURANCE

· High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family’s needs.

· UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance for you and your family.

· Supplemental insurance offered including: Additional Life, Disability, Short/Long Term Disability and Legal Coverage.

Budgeted Salary: Initial placement will be between $28.04 – $30.95/Hour, commensurate with educational background and relevant working experience.

Position Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

•           Stoop, bend and lift supplies and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.

•           Stand for extended periods of time.

•           Kneel, squat, stoop and bend.

•           Ability to perform repetitive motions such as pipetting.

•           Sit/work at a computer/workstation for extended periods of time.

•           Ability to distinguish between colors

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• THIS IS NOT AN H1B/J1 OPPORTUNITY. Candidate must be legally permitted to work in the United States and not subject to revocation.
• This is not a research position. The position is located in a diagnostic laboratory where quality control and assurance as well as meticulous working habits are essential.
• Per the terms and agreements of the department’s contracts and grants, the position requires signing of a Confidentiality Agreement or Non-Disclosure Agreement regarding testing and client information.
• Upon completion of a background check and appropriate training, must participate in the select agent program.
• Ability to complete Select Agent background clearance procedures.
• Due to the nature of the essential responsibilities, this position is not eligible for remote work.
• Valid CA Driver License
• Due to the potential work with poultry diseases, ownership and handling of birds outside of work place are not allowed.
• Due to the potential work with poultry diseases, electronic devices, such as cell phone, iPod, etc., usage will be restricted inside the lab.
• This position is subject to UCD’s vaccination program (Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, is/might subject to prophylactic vaccination for rabies), and Medical/Health Surveillance Program/Procedures/Review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm (Work schedule might be slightly different during the training period)
• Work flexible schedule/overtime as needed to complete projects and meet deadlines.
• Mandatory weekend and holiday rotation.
• Restricted/Limited vacation during peak workload periods (i.e. Outbreaks, Fiscal Close, Audits Periods, etc.)
• Occasional travel to CAHFS branch laboratories, conferences, etc.
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education/Experience:

B.S degree in molecular biology or a related scientific discipline with experience in molecular diagnostic testing for infectious agents.
Experience working in a highly regulated diagnostic environment which adheres to ISO, AAVLD, or other laboratory accreditation standards, including expertise following complex protocols, producing neat, accurate, complete records, within in a strict quality assurance and control environment for assuring test accuracy in a diagnostic lab.
Skills and experience to perform highly repetitive operations including manual pipetting, high-throughput DNA extraction, conventional and real-time PCR, and results reporting with close attention to detail.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

Skills to operate a biosafety cabinet, fume hood, auto and manual pipettes, spectrophotometer, digital imager, ABI-7500, centrifuges, thermocyclers, and other laboratory equipment, including any accompanying software.
Skills to multi-task, work under multiple deadlines, and adapt to sudden changes in workload.
Knowledge to design PCR primers, maintain stocks, optimize concentrations, and perform all related calculations.
Strong writing, verbal communication and computer skills to produce clear and concise test results and explanations to others, including co-workers, submitting vets, and clients Including the use of various computer applications including email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics programs, library search programs, graphing and statistical analysis programs, and Laboratory Information Management programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education/Experience:  

Experience with magnetic bead-based extraction procedures.
Experience/background in Animal Science, and/or livestock/poultry production.
Experience with appropriate handling of clinical (animal tissues and fluids) and environmental samples for diagnostic bacteriology, fungal, and/or parasitology examinations.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

Skills to use DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis programs NCBI, GenBank, and Geneious.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain - we improve.

We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds, and you belong here.

As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community , our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected .

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence.  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 nondiscrimination policy.