General Information
| Job Description | LAB AST 2 | Working Title | Lab Assistant 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 009603 | Grade | |
| Department Name | Microbiology & Plant Pathology - D01052 | Department Head | Georgios Vidalakis |
| Supervisor | Sohrab Bodaghi | Effective Date | 12/21/2022 |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| Under the direction of the Professional Research and the Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) Director, this position will assist with the pathogen testing: For the introduction of citrus varieties under quarantine; For the distribution of clean plant unit; For the CDFA "Citrus Nursery Stock Pest Cleanliness Program;" and the performance of ongoing research projects at the CCPP/Vidalakis laboratory. The incumbent will assist with the coordination of the sample flow from and to the CCPP Citrus Therapy Diagnostic & Research Laboratory (CTDRL) from the CCPP Rubidoux Quarantine Facility (CCPP-RQF), CCPP Lindcove Foundation Facility (CCPP-LFF), CDFA, citrus industry, UC ANR Extension personnel and other stakeholders. They will execute molecular and bioinformatics protocols for citrus pathogen detection including DNA/RNA extractions, qPCR, RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, microscopy, high throughput sequencing (HTS) and other pathogen detection technologies. In addition, they will prepare buffers for diagnostic protocols and media for bacterial culturing using standard laboratory equipment such as manual and automated pipetting systems, vortex, stirrer, pH meters, electrophoresis equipment, etc., as well as plant tissue grinder, cryochamber, thermocycler, barcode scanner and printer, clean air hood, and biosafety cabinet . They will also assist with the everyday tasks of the lab managing including inventory, ordering supplies, and cleaning of glass-plastic ware as well as plant maintenance in the greenhouse and the field including but not limited to participation in the IPPN and VI care, tree inventory and graft-inoculation and bioindexing activities, watering, transplanting, pruning and performing fruit collection and seed extractions and sample collections for laboratory analysis using clippers, saws, knives and razors. They will also perform computer tasks such as data input and record updates using CCPP?s online systems CVIS, LIMS, and OBDS as well as scanners and bioinformatics software. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. | Required |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Plant diagnostics 2 years of experience | Preferred |
License Requirements
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Valide California Driver Licence | Required |
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Diagnostics for the Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) -Assist with coordination and receiving, registering, barcoding, processing, extracting, testing and recording of the pathogen testing results of citrus samples (using CCPP?s online systems CVIS, LIMS, and OBDS) tested at the CCPP Citrus Therapy Diagnostic & Research Laboratory (CTDRL) from the CCPP Rubidoux Quarantine Facility (CCPP-RQF), CCPP Lindcove Foundation Facility (CCPP-LFF), CDFA, citrus industry, UC ANR Extension personnel and other stakeholders. -Assist with IPPN and VI care, tree inventory and graft-inoculation and bioindexing activities. -Assist with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, high throughput sequencing (HTS) and other diagnostic assays. -Assist with data analysis and database updates as needed for the operations of the CTDRL and RQF. | 70 |
| Organizing undergraduates tasks -Organize schedule of undergraduates who work at the CTDRL or RQF including but not limited to: sample preparation, buffer preparation, sterilization, and general laboratory up keeping. -Assist with undergraduates' training | 10 |
| Plant Care and Equipment care -Assist with greenhouse plant upkeep. -Assist with general lab maintenance such as washing glassware or equipment maintenance. -Assist with cleaning and maintaining work areas free of molecular contaminants. | 10 |
| Purchases and Ordering -Assist lab members with purchases. -Assist with ordering lab supplies as instructed. | 5 |
| Record Keeping and Filing -Assist in keeping records and filing documents in compliance with the CCPP quality management system. -Assist with University laboratory safety audits. -Assist with entering diagnostic results data in the computer. -Assist with clerical duties such as scanning of old records, answering emails and phone calls and keeping a record of them. | 5 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Data analysis and database updates | Required |
| DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, high throughput sequencing (HTS), and other diagnostic and pathogen detection assays. | Required |
| Citrus Variety Introduction System (CVIS), Autoscribe LIMS, Online Budwood Distribution System (OBDS) and other laboratory/greenhouse information management systems. | Required |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Campus, off campus quarantine facilities, and UC ANR research and extension centers. |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: No |