Position overview Position title: Specialist in Gut Microbiota Research (Junior Specialist - Assistant Specialist) 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 SPECIALIST SERIES FISCAL YEAR. 'Off-scale salaries', i.e., 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 $49,000 - $56,600.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after the initial review of applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, 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: May 23, 2023
Next review date: Thursday, Jun 22, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, May 22, 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
Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Patnode in the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a Specialist in Gut Microbiota Research. Under the direction of Dr. Patnode, the specialist will contribute to a research program exploring the impact of carbohydrates in food on human gut microbial ecology and the immune system. Experiments will include immunologic assays (flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, mammalian cell culture, mouse husbandry/genotyping, and models of infection/vaccination) and/or advanced bacteriology (isolation of novel strains from intestinal samples, mutagenesis, high-throughput DNA sequencing, and protein purification).
The candidate will also make contributions to lab management by ordering equipment and supplies, generating reagents, and ensuring lab compliance with safety and animal welfare regulations. The specialist will be expected to be part of an inclusive and supportive team of students, staff, and faculty, and stay up to date on important scientific developments in the field of microbiota research.
Applicants with research expertise in any (or several) of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: bacterial molecular biology, cloning, and protein purification; confocal microscopy; short- or long-read high-throughput sequencing; and Linux command line (Slurm) or coding in R.
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
B.S. or higher (or an equivalent foreign degree), in biological sciences, biochemistry, or a related field. See section D. Qualifications of the CAPM 602.300 Specialist Series policy.
A minimum of six months' full-time or twelve months part-time research experience (experience gained as an undergraduate or post-degree will be accepted).
Application Requirements
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include three professional references along with their contact information. The search committee will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.
Cover Letter - A letter of application (one page maximum) that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
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 Universitys 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.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. Additional information and resources for compliance are located on the campus Health Center site
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the intimacy of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.