Postdoctoral Researcher- Hess Lab

The successful candidate will work in the Hess Lab at the University of California, Davis (www.HessLab.com) and will be part of a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team that will develop and employ new approaches to change the function of complex microbiomes towards low methane emitting dairy and beef cattle and other anaerobic systems (e.g., digesters).

The successful candidate will lead and perform wet-lab experiments, some bioinformatic analyses and work closely with the PI, all members of the Hess Lab and its collaborators.

RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90%)

* The Postdoctoral Employee 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, the Postdoctoral Fellow will collaborate with other research personnel as part of projects that concentrate on the rumen and other anaerobic ecosystems and developing novel approaches to reduce methane emission from these systems. Specifically, the research focuses on the interaction of individual microbes, microbial populations and microbial enzymes with each other and their environments with particular focus on the rumen environment. Outcomes of our research includes an enhanced understanding of microbial interactions and improved strategies to render agricultural practices more sustainable and productive.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will be actively engaged in preparation of samples for microbiome analysis, standard microbiological techniques, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell culture, molecular biology techniques such as PCR and qPCR and bacterial transformations. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also generate and analyze meta-omics data.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will assist staff members with laboratory maintenance tasks, including safety management, maintaining the chemical inventory, managing lab waste, and other general lab maintenance tasks.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will be responsible for quality checking of results and for maintaining appropriate backups of project data.

* The Postdoctoral Fellow will draft tables and figures for scientific publications. Similarly, the candidate will participate in the drafting and revising of study manuscripts on an as needed basis.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will co-supervise junior group members.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)

* The Postdoctoral Employee will participate in appropriate professional societies or groups in the field of microbiology, animal science, and biotechnology.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will draft tables and figures for scientific publications. Similarly, the candidate will participate in the drafting and revising of study manuscripts on an as needed basis.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will offer technical and creative contributions to the manuscript preparation.

* The Postdoctoral Employee will conduct literature searches for articles relevant to the research topic, engage in discussions of data with the Principal Investigators and other lab members, and contribute to manuscript preparation and presentation of research findings.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0%)

The Postdoctoral Employee is not expected to participate in university or public service.

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or other related fields

* PhD (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date.

* No more than three years of post-degree research experience by start date.

* Advanced experience with basic molecular and/or microbial practices

* Advanced experience with aseptic and/or anaerobic techniques

* Advanced experience with standard software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

* Experience with maintaining laboratory supply and reagent inventory

* Excellent communication and organizational skills.

* Experience with cell culture and/or bioreactors

* Experience with animal handling

* Industry experience

* Advanced experience with RNA and protein extractions

* Advanced experience with PCR and quantitative real-time PCR

* Advanced experience with species identification by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences

* Advanced experience with metatranscriptomics analysis

* Protein analysis using Western blot and metaproteomics

* Experience with physicochemical enzyme characterization

* Comfortable working with biological human and animal samples.

* Track record of molecular method development

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state for federal law.

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 UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.