BML White Abalone / Shellfish Health Jr. Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The position is 100% (full-time) and is located at UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory in Bodega Bay, CA. This position will have laboratory duties under the supervision of UC Davis Academic Administrator Dr. Frederick, director of the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Shellfish Health Laboratory's Dr. Burge. The white abalone is an ESA-listed endangered species which was overfished in the 20th century and is now on the brink of extinction. Outplanting of captively bred animals is the essential method of saving the species. The goal of this position is to contribute to the successful captive rearing and health maintenance of endangered white abalone as part of recovery efforts for the species.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (80% EFFORT)

* Care for the captive population of endangered white abalone held at Bodega Marine Laboratory, including feeding animals, cleaning animal holding areas and related seawater systems, changing filters, and maintaining pumps, temperature systems, UV units, LED lighting, and time clocks.

* Assist with the health maintenance of captive white abalone at Bodega Marine Laboratory and partner institutions, including performing health examinations, feces testing, qPCR, necropsy, and histology, especially related to the agent of withering syndrome (Xenohaliotis californiensis), shell-boring organisms, and other abalone pathogens and symbionts.

* Assist in the coordination of spawning attempts and animal transfers among Bodega Marine Laboratory and partner facilities.

* Assist in maintaining ongoing laboratory experiments related to white abalone health.

* Assist with the general care of endangered white abalone held at Bodega Marine Laboratory, including feeding animals, cleaning animal holding areas and related seawater systems, changing filters, and maintaining pumps, temperature systems, UV units, LED lighting, and timeclocks.

* Assist with acquiring food for captive white abalone held at Bodega Marine Laboratory, including field collection of wild kelp and other seaweeds, maintenance of a dulse culture, and travel to Monterey and other areas in California to acquire harvested kelp.

* Assist with general laboratory operations: Ordering supplies, lab organization, maintaining equipment, maintaining state and federal permits, and maintaining a safe and well-organized laboratory environment. Preparing supplies for animal assessments and spawning events, acquiring and managing samples, working with fellow animal care staff and volunteers and develop schedules for animal care and life support systems maintenance. Assisting with laboratory safety information and training.

* Enter, organize, analyze, and interpret data. Opportunities for independence and leadership in research projects. Write and present on research for public and scientific audiences.

* Actively support ongoing research activities for students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff. This will include, but may not be limited to, review and editing of proposals, presentation of results at scientific conferences, and providing feedback on manuscripts in preparation related to their area of expertise.

* Opportunities for independence and leadership in research projects. Writing and presenting on research for public and scientific audiences.

* Assist with writing progress and final reports for the Endangered Species permit and funding agencies.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (15% EFFORT)

* Participate in and contribute to the development of an inclusive and accessible working environment for our research program.

* Engage with the academic community at Bodega Marine Laboratory through participation in lab-wide meetings and research seminars. Participate in appropriate professional societies, including presentations at professional meetings.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

* Participate in the mentorship of undergraduates, interns, and volunteers in the laboratory.

* Serve on local departmental or institute committees based upon the Jr. Specialist's areas of interest.

* Participate in educational activities oriented to the public at the Bodega Marine Laboratory and on campus, as well as presentations to regulatory agency staff as requested.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

* Move and maneuver equipment weighing up to 20 pounds

* Climb ladders

* Bend, stoop, and work in tight, confined areas

* Work occasional evenings/nights/weekends/holidays, including overtime and/or on short notice to meet operational needs

A Junior Specialist appointee should have a baccalaureate or similar degree in a discipline relevant or related to the research conducted in the unit hiring the appointee, or if lacking a relevant baccalaureate degree should have experience with the appropriate specialized research methods. In general, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master's or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist. A Junior Specialist appointee should have a baccalaureate or similar degree in a discipline relevant or related to the research conducted in the unit hiring the appointee, or if lacking a relevant baccalaureate degree should have experience with the appropriate specialized research methods. In general, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master's or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist.

Division: https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/bml/about

* B.S. in Biology, Microbiology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline

* Excellent communication skills

* Strong organizational skills

* Ability to work independently and as part of a team

* Sterile technique and experience with qPCR

* Knowledge and experience aquatic animal disease, aquatic animal epidemiology, molecular biology, metagenomics, host-pathogen biology, and/or disease diagnosis

* Experience with animal care and/or marine aquaculture

* Experience with marine invertebrate spawning and larval culture

* Experience with various software programs for data management, image analysis, and reporting (i.e., Excel, graphing procedures, statistical analysis, ImageJ, PowerPoint, R)

• 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

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