Junior Specialist - Selina Wang Lab

JUNIOR SPECIALIST POSITION DESCRIPTION

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The position of Junior Specialist provides technical or specialized expertise in the planning and execution of research projects in a food chemistry laboratory. The junior Specialist stays apprised of the research area and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. The role of this position is to provide specialized expertise in food chemistry research in the laboratory of the Principal Investigator Dr. Selina Wang. The Junior Specialist is actively and significantly engaged in research including various projects that are related to food quality and analytical chemistry method development.

The Junior Specialist is responsible for setting up and executing experiments and conducting quality control and data management procedures. The Junior Specialist will have the opportunity to have creative input into the design of and selection of experiments to meet the study objectives. They will also assist with routine day-to-day lab duties including lab safety duties, supplies acquisition, and will lead undergraduate assistants.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

RESEARH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% effort)

a. The Junior Specialist will use their academic and professional expertise to make scientific contributions to a research study and will contribute to published research. Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator and lab manager, the Junior Specialist will collaborate with other research personnel such as undergraduate student assistants and collaborators.

b. The Junior Specialist will prepare samples using standard techniques and analyze them following established methods. Sometimes, it may be necessary to develop and/or optimize methods.

c. The Junior Specialist will work be actively engaged in sample collection and analysis and will work with collaborators in the laboratory as well as from other departments at UC Davis.

d. The Junior Specialist will draft tables and figures for presentations, reports, and scientific publications as well as drafting and revising manuscripts as needed.

e. The Junior Specialist will assist the lab manager and lab members with laboratory maintenance tasks, including relocations, setups, safety management, chemical inventory, waste, and other lab operational-related tasks.

f. The Junior Specialist will organize data for grant reports and publications prior to submission and offer technical and creative contributions to manuscript preparation.

g. The Junior Specialist will conduct literature searches for articles relevant to the research topic, engage in discussions of data with the Principal Investigator and lab manager, and contribute to presentation of research findings and manuscript preparation.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% effort)

a. The Junior Specialist will participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations to learn more about the newest advances in the chemistry related to food quality, authenticity and safety.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0% effort)

a. The Junior Specialist is not expected to participate in university or public service

-BS in Chemistry, Food Science or other related areas

-Familiarity with standard software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

-At least one year of work experience in a laboratory and have basic lab proficiency

-Excellent communication and organizational skills

* Experience working with food and agricultural products

* Experience using HPLC and GC

* Able to perform common statistical analyses (regression, ANOVA)

• 2 letters of reference required

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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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.

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, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

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