Current Research Opportunities for GDB Students

Find available research and internship opportunities listed below. These listings are also featured in the Global Disease Biology Weekly Newsletters, so keep an eye out for those emails on Friday afternoons! Another great resource for students interested in research and internship opportunities is the Undergraduate Research Center and Internship and Career Center. 

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Human Health Research Opportunities

UNITY Biotechnology Summer Internship

The Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology group works cross-functionally in Unity’s Preclinical Discovery Ocular and Neurodegenerative Disease Programs. We’re seeking a highly motivated intern to help perform in vitro cell culture-based experiments. This candidate will be trained by Unity to perform activities including reagent preparation, cell culture, and assay execution. There will be abundant opportunities to learn about fundamental experimental procedures including RNA extraction and qPCR, ELISA/MSD assays, and real-time cell imaging techniques. If interested, please email Shyama Chaganti (shyama.chaganti@unitybiotechnology.com) your resume and a small description of who you are and what you hope to gain from the internship.

Global Health Internships 

These internships provide you with the opportunity to participate in clinical rotations and public health experiences while being immersed in a local community for 5 weeks. Students will earn 6 credits as they intern for 30-35 hours per week at one of the specialized global health program sites.

USDA Biological Science Technician Position

We are looking for applicants for a USDA biological science technician position at the GS07 level in the Baumgartner lab, for a temporary position starting for 20 weeks, with possible extension for longer, depending on performance and funding.

For more information, please email gdb-advise@ucdavis.edu, and she will be happy to share the application materials with you! 

Research Experience in Surgery Program (RESURG)

RESURG (Research Experience in Surgery) is a selective clinical research internship based in the UC Davis Medical Center's Department of Surgery.  Studies that we are working on range from the topics of critical limb ischemia, stem cell research, and trauma. As a RESURG Clinical Research Assistant with RESURG, you will learn about and engage in clinical research, work with clinicians, observe surgical procedures, and gain valuable professional skills. You will be responsible for a number of tasks including, but not limited to, data collection, surveying patients, and assessment of research projects as a whole.

We are looking for individuals who are driven, hardworking, creative, and effective communicators. This is a rigorous program that offers unique mentorship opportunities with experienced researchers and clinicians. Our goal is to train competent research professionals and to further students’ individual professional and educational goals.

Fall 2021 applications are now open. If you have any questions regarding the application or recruitment, please email hs-resurg@ucdavis.edu.  

Click HERE to apply.

Environmental Health Research Opportunities

Research Position at Monterey (Mushrooms/Amycel)

Position Summary:
This is a full-time permanent position with benefits available immediately. The job is M-F with some weekends as needed to complete projects. The research scope integrates molecular biology, genetics, synthetic biology and fungal biotechnology to develop and characterize novel fungal strains with enhanced downstream bioprocessing characteristics through overexpression of native and foreign genes. The overall goal of the project is to enhance production of nutraceutical and other high-value compounds using cultured fungi. 
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  
Optimize and utilize protocols for Agrobacterium and/or homology directed repair/CRISPR-based transformation of fungi
Design and assemble single and multiple genes and promoters and terminators into vectors such as pCAMBIA using traditional cloning techniques and/or Gibson assembly and/or hot fusion
Design and order vectors, synthetic genes, synthetic RNA, oligos etc. from outside vendors
Transform and maintain bacterial and fungal cultures 
Perform molecular and biochemical analyses of cisgenic and transgenic lines expressing custom genetic constructs
Perform all necessary activities related to the design, execution, and troubleshooting of experiments
Keep detailed records and provide data in a timely manner
 
Qualifications:
Applicants must have a PhD in plant biology, plant pathology, genetics, genomics, mycology, plant biotechnology, fungal biotechnology, or a related discipline with a strong publication record in high impact journals. Highly motivated individuals with a strong background in recombinant DNA systems and molecular biology and with direct experience in Agrobacterium.

Please email gdb-advise@ucdavis.edu for more information on applying!

Animal/Insect Health Research Opportunities

Summer Employment Opportunities in Vector-Borne Diseases

If you are interested in a summer position working on vector-borne diseases, now is the time to apply!

Please check out the attached summer jobs listing to see if a job is available in the area where you plan to be this summer. Also subscribe to Pacific Southwest Vector-Borne Diseases' weekly newsletter (https://pacvec.us/subscribe) to continue to receive new job opportunities throughout the year.

Animal Behavior and Cognition Lab 

Internship will involve beef cattle handling and behavioral data collection experience at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center. Past beef cattle handling experience (especially working cattle through chute) and interest in cattle behavior desired, but not required! Check out this lab position here for contact information.