Associate Specialist, Diaz-Munoz lab

ASSOCIATE SPECIALIST Position Description

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the University of California at Davis seeks to hire a full-time employee as an Associate Specialist to perform research functions in the Diaz Munoz Lab which studies the social lives of viruses, with a current focus on coinfection, defective viral genomes, and reassortment in influenza A viruses.

This Specialist position has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise with influenza A virus culture, infections, and molecular biology methods to effectively plan and execute research projects that investigate the evolution and biology of influenza A viruses. This position requires a high level of technical competence, meticulous record keeping, and previous experience working in similar projects in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, or evolution. The Specialist must be able to work effectively independently as well as a team member. As part of this goal, the specialist must have excellent communication skills. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (85%)

The Diaz-Munoz Lab has been funded by NIH to study the basis of the strain dependent reassortment potential we recently uncovered in influenza A viruses (Taylor et al 2023 PLoS Pathogens, 19(3), e1011155). We are currently focused on testing the role that 1) genetic segments, 2) RNA-RNA interactions, and 3) defective viral genomes play in shaping reassortment. Under the supervision of Dr Diaz-Munoz, the PI, the successful candidate will use a combination of tools from virology, microbiology, molecular biology, and genomics to complete the aims of funded and proposed projects. Specifically, these projects will involve a combination of cloning, reverse genetics, cell and virus culture, plaque assays and genomic sequencing, among other standard molecular biology techniques. The successful candidate need not be experienced in all of the techniques listed above, however, one of the core methods across projects involves reverse genetics and virus rescue and strong preference will be given to candidates that have experience with cloning, reverse genetics, or virus rescue in any system. We have expertise in viral genome sequencing and can train candidates, thus expertise in this area is welcome, but not necessarily a priority when making candidate selections. Lack of experience with viruses is not necessarily a disqualifier if the candidate is proficient with the techniques and is passionate about the study of viruses. We will use a holistic approach to rank candidates' suitability for the position and we will prioritize peer reviewed publications as evidence of expertise. While the position entails working on specific projects, creative contributions to the ongoing project are expected and encouraged.

The candidate will work mostly independently and is therefore expected to be diligent in the maintenance of their work and communicative about its development. They will do so via regular updates to their PI and lab mates, keeping a lab notebook in line with best practices, and version control or documentation for any code. They will be expected to work very closely with members of the lab to collaborate on publishing efforts and ensure the quality and reproducibility of all results. They are expected to attend lab meetings and to present intermittently on their research.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)

The candidate will also be expected to perform the tasks necessary to administrate and bolster work in the lab. This involves maintaining protocols, reagents, equipment, and potentially code repositories. They will also be expected to provide expertise on lab methods, workflows, and protocol development to other lab members. This will come in the form of hands-on assistance to their peers as well as presentations in lab meetings.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

The candidate will conduct necessary outreach and educational sessions and assist with public facing activities organized by the lab such as conferences or Picnic Day activities.

Department: https://mmg.ucdavis.edu/

* Ph.D. in virology, microbiology, molecular-cell biology, immunology or related fields

* More than 5 years of research experience post-PhD (see postdoc ad if <5 yrs post-PhD)

* The ability to work independently at a high level of competence on complex projects, as evidenced by leading projects resulting in peer-reviewed publications

* Skills and a track record of trouble shooting and optimizing lab protocols

* Experience with animal cell culture

* Experience with animal virus culture and standard virology lab techniques

* Experience working in BSL2 (or higher) containment and following all relevant laboratory safety regulations and guidelines

* Experience with standard genetics lab techniques (e.g. RNA extraction, RT-PCR, PCR, electrophoresis)

* Skills for accurate, complete, and neat record keeping and familiarity with principles of open data and reproducibility

* Experience with influenza virus culture

* Experience with cloning, and reverse genetics virus rescue

* Experience with Plaque assays

* Experience with single cell techniques: single cell genomics or FACS

* Experience with RNA FISH

* Microscopy experience

* Experience with RNA and protein detection techniques

* Research or university-level coursework in evolution and ecology

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

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