We are looking for a Post-Doctoral Scholar that will work in veterinary medicine, dairy cattle health, antimicrobial resistance, and microbiology and molecular/genomic methods in the laboratory of Dr. Richard Pereira, Department of Population and Health and Reproduction at the University of California, Davis. The job holder will be part of an inter-disciplinary, multi-state, team of epidemiologists, veterinary clinicians, microbiologist, researchers and extension specialists that conducts applied research on disease of dairy cattle, including a focus on milk quality in organic dairy farms, bovine respiratory disease, and various other project with a focus on antimicrobial resistance. Projects will include on-farm sampling, including clinical exam of cattle, and collection of samples and data for the development of evidence based data to improve farm management for best practices to improve milk quality, monitor antimicrobial resistance in bovine respiratory disease pathogens, and antimicrobial stewardship programs for dairy farms.
The job holder will be based at UC Davis (Davis, California) and will work with, epidemiologists, field veterinarians, animal scientists, other scientists and policy makers on a wide range of issues related to infectious diseases in cattle, milk quality, and antimicrobial resistance affecting dairy cattle in a multi-regional project. The job holder will work field and laboratory projects, including but not limited to coordinating enrollment of farms in a milk quality dairy project in organic dairy farms and bovine respiratory disease project. Activities to be conducting include clinical exam of individual animals, sampling of dairy cattle for a bovine respiratory disease, conduct farm visits to collect milk samples and conduct surveys, enroll farmers in on-going research project, and use of microbiology and molecular/genomic methods for characterization of cattle microbiota for antimicrobial resistance. Job holder will also be required to have impeccable record keeping, analyze data, write manuscripts, grants, contribute to grant development, present their original research work at local, national, and international meetings, and help instructing graduate and undergraduate students and work as a part of the Pereira Lab team to advance the mission of the entire group. Other activities include the mentoring of undergraduate students and graduate scholars and participation in outreach activities.
Qualifications: The preferred candidate will have: (i) a Ph.D. in epidemiology, animal science or related disciplines with experience with field sampling for infectious disease, disease control, animal health, and surveillance in livestock; (ii) clinical skills and experience with dairy cattle medicine and health; (iii) a proven record of scientific accomplishment by peer-reviewed publications; (iv) strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills. The successful candidate must be able to (i) work independently and as an effective member of a multidisciplinary collaborative team; (ii) to coordinate projects and manage confidential databases, conduct statistical analysis of data, demonstrated project management expertise and strong interpersonal skills; (iii) evidence of clinical experience with dairy cattle disease diagnosis is required. The following additional required qualifications: (i) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM or equivalent), (ii) research experience in epidemiology/ infectious diseases in livestock/ food safety, and/or (iii) outreach and capacity building experience. Participation in the preparation of research grant applications and reports is expected.
UC Davis is the home of the Aggies — go-getters, change makers and problem solvers who make their mark at one of the top public universities in the United States. Since we first opened in 1908, we’ve been known for standout academics, sustainability and Aggie Pride as well as valuing the Northern California lifestyle. These themes are woven into our 100-plus-year history and our reputation for solving problems related to food, health, the environment and society.Our 5,300-acre campus is in the city of Davis, a vibrant college town of about 68,000 located in Yolo County. The state capital is 20 minutes away, and world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley are within a two-hour drive.