A Research Technician (Specialist) position is available in the labs of Dr. Nicole Rafferty in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology and Dr. Paul Nabity in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at the University of California-Riverside. Preference will be given to those who can start by January 2018. Initial appointment is for one year with possible renewal for a second year contingent on performance.
Research in the Rafferty Lab spans the fields of community ecology, population biology, and global change, with a focus on plants and pollinators. Current research centers on understanding how climate change-induced shifts in phenology and spatial distribution affect species interactions (www.raffertylab.ucr.edu). Research in the Nabity Lab uses comparative genomics to understand plant-
insect interactions (www.nabitylab.org).
The technician will be expected to lead projects in the lab and field and to supervise graduate and undergraduate students who are assisting with projects. These projects involve caring for plants and insect colonies in greenhouses and growth chambers, as well as careful molecular lab work, data entry, and overall attention to detail. The technician will also be responsible for maintaining clean, organized, and efficient lab and greenhouse spaces while helping to promote an inclusive and positive work environment. Field projects may involve travel to the University of California Natural Reserves (www.ucnrs.org), the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab (www.rmbl.org), and arboreta throughout the U.S. The successful applicant will benefit from a strong and growing network of researchers studying community and genomic ecology across departments. Preference will be given to applicants with prior ecological, greenhouse-related, and molecular research experience and a B.S. or M.S. in biology or a related discipline. Data analysis and bioinformatics skills or a strong desire to learn these skills is a plus. Interest in independent projects that stem from ongoing projects, as well as publication of results, will be encouraged, and other professional development opportunities will be made available.
Salary will depend on qualifications but will be at least $18.26 per hour with excellent benefits (http://hr.ucr.edu/benefits/health_and_welfare.html). Applicants from under-represented groups are encouraged. UCR is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity.
To apply, please contact both Dr. Nabity (paul.nabity@ucr.edu) and Dr. Rafferty (nicole.rafferty@ucr.edu) by November 17 with your CV, unofficial transcript(s), and a short statement describing research experiences, skills, and your interest in this position.