Assistant Project Scientist

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: June 3rd, 2022

Next review date: Friday, Jun 17, 2022 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, Dec 31, 2022 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
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.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire one, full-time, Assistant Project Scientist in Dr. Griffith's Lab. The Assistant Project Scientist will perform research functions aimed at deciphering the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms of sensorimotor processing by spinal cord circuits in health and disease.

Project Scientists make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in their academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency in physiological studies of spinal cord circuits. Appointees in the Project Scientist series may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, etc.), they are not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. The Project Scientist will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Theanne Griffith and work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. RESEARCH (85% EFFORT)

Research activity (65%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of spinal sensorimotor circuits methods and applications.

The appointee will be involved in examining the contributions of the sodium channels Nav1.1 and Nav1.6, as well as the ATP-release channel pannexin-1, to spinal cord circuits formation and function. They will assist in determining research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. Duties will include project design, research, optimizing data acquisition and processing, data handling and analysis, and writing related to the following studies: 1) Investigating the contribution of sodium channels on presynaptic sensory neurons to locomotor spinal circuits; 2) Understanding how sodium channel disease-causing mutations impact spinal cord circuits, 3) Establish the differential roles of pannexin-1 channels in spinal neurons and microglia to chronic pain in different preclinical models.

In some cases, the appointee may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, troubleshooting problems, interpreting results, and planning follow-up experiments. The appointee collaborates with scientific colleagues in multi-disciplinary projects that include components falling within the appointee’s area of expertise.

Publication (10%)
The appointee will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (10%)
The appointee will assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The appointee will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE & ACTIVITY (15% EFFORT) The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of neuroscience instrumentation and applications, and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals, and scientific publications as appropriate.

The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings and/or educational functions.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Neuroscience or related field
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in spinal cord physiology
• Experience in ex vivo recordings from spinal cord preparations
• Experience in patch-clamp electrophysiology
• Evidence of academic accomplishment such as refereed journal papers and conference presentations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience with slice electrophysiology either from spinal cord or brain

TO APPLY:
To apply, please go to the following link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05002. This position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants must submit:
• Cover letter
• CV with a complete list of publications
• Research Statement
• Contact information for 3-5 references

Department: https://health.ucdavis.edu/physiology/

Lab: https://www.thegriffithresearchgroup.com/

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Neuroscience or related field
• A minimum 5 years of experience in spinal cord physiology
• Experience in ex vivo recordings from spinal cord preparations
• Experience in patch-clamp electrophysiology
• Evidence of academic accomplishment such as refereed journal papers and conference presentations

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with slice electrophysiology either from spinal cord or brain

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05002

Help contact: jstillwell@ucdavis.edu

CAMPUS INFORMATION

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

JOB LOCATION

Davis, CA