RECRUITMENT PERIOD

Open date: September 28, 2021

Last review date: March 31, 2022

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: March 31, 2022

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.

DESCRIPTION
Drs. Amir Ardeshir and Koen Van Rompay at the California National Primate Research Center seek to fill a full-time research
assistant position at the Junior Specialist level. The successful candidates will be involved with studies focused on gaining a
better understanding of viral/microbial interactions with nonhuman primates and other animal model hosts. Studying the
mechanism of disease progression and developing interventions against viruses, including HIV, Zika virus, SARS-Cov-2.
I. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (90%)
60% RESEARCH-FOCUSED LABORATORY WORK (INCL. SAMPLE PROCESSING & ASSAYS)
• Provide support in the daily workflow of processing various types of samples and data collection reporting, which includes
scheduling, data entry, labeling, processing, storing, inventorying, and shipping samples.
• Prepare reagents, vaccine doses, challenge doses, and treatment cocktails.
• Assist laboratory staff in performing assays such as enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, PCR, and tissue culture.
• Assist laboratory staff in sample collection and processing at necropsy, endoscopic procedures, surgical procedures,
clinical roundups.
• Assist in training new employees, students, and collaborators in general lab protocols and procedures.
• Interact with investigators, technicians within and beyond the lab, and shipping companies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and log of the samples and safety documents.
• Maintain and archive specimens.
• Review manuscripts in collaboration with the principal investigator for accuracy prior to submission. Assist with
summarizing data, including creating tables, graphs, and figures.
20% ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES and DATA MANAGEMENT
• Operate computers for database management, analysis, word processing, and document preparation (MS Excel, MS
Word, MS PowerPoint, Prism, R, Endnote, and Oracle).
• Maintain laboratory website in collaboration with the IT personnel.
• Review, copy, organize, and mail reports to collaborators.
• Organize and file lab forms. Maintain detailed, accurate, organized records of all laboratory experiments, procedures, data,
and communications related to laboratory business.
• Retrieve computerized information through websites via the internet.
• Create and maintain bibliographic databases.
10% LAB MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
• Restocking laboratory supplies and reagents
• Perform standard operating procedures, including biohazard and chemical safety for core, shared use, and research
laboratories.
• Train, monitor, and schedule users.
• Update and revise current protocols and monitor for compliance.
• Perform quality control of machines and instruments.
• Perform preventative maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment.
• Assist in the supervision of Student Assistants.
II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
A. Assist in preparing research presentations for local stakeholder groups, regional meetings, and appropriate national
meetings. Presentations will be delivered in poster and/or oral presentation formats. Incumbent will be encouraged to have
membership with the American Society for Microbiology or similar professional society.
B. Taking online courses related to the work including project management, organizational development, safety services,
data science, R programming,
III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
A. Participate in mentoring of undergraduate students in the research laboratory as appropriate.
B. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus, and other University entities, as
appropriate.
C. Participate in supporting activities related to teaching where expertise is appropriate. This may include assisting the
principal investigator with teaching activities related to medical microbiology and immunology.
Work Environment
• Measles vaccination or proof of illness required. This position is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in
accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.
• Employee shall participate in required preventative medical and medical monitoring programs which may include blood
tests, immunizations, TB screening, Blood borne and Airborne Pathogen training, etc., and are provided to meet Federal,
State and University requirements.
• Must be willing to perform assigned duties in a BioSafety Level (BSL) 2 or 3 facility where nonhuman primates may be
either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous infectious agents such as HIV, SIV or Herpes B virus;
working area is located within a defined animal area and may include biohazards.
• Work in are as where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
• Required to wear protective clothing in circumstances that require personal protection from infectious diseases and
animals.
• Work occasional overtime. Work occasional weekends and holidays.
• Provide after hours, weekend and holiday emergency support as required.
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 20 14.
Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated
nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis
owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and
residential space.
• California National Primate Research Center employees are directly or
indirectly engaged in the performance of work on Federal or State contracts
and grants as well as periodically come into contact with controlled
substances; and are expected to abide by the UC Policy on Substance Abuse, the Federal Drug -Free Workplace Act of 1988, and the State Drug-Free
Workplace Act of 1990. Please provide a most recently updated curriculum vitae along with a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion.