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Junior Specialist - Simkins Lab

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Position description

The Department of Neurology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist to work in a research program studying glial biology and neuroscience.
The junior specialist will work with team members in the study of oligodendrocyte biology and myelination. The goal of the laboratory is to identify novel pathways controlling myelination/remyelination with the eventual goal to develop clinical therapies directing at myelin restoration. Current areas of investigation include molecular mechanisms controlling oligodendrocyte development, differentiation, myelination, and remyelination.
The selected junior specialist will participate in the design and implementation of laboratory experimental studies. Junior specialists will also be responsible for lab organization and data management. The junior specialist will assist with the performance of experiments involving primary cell culture and mouse models (genetic knockout and disease models of demyelination). Selected candidates will also be expected to assist with the maintenance of colonies of genetic strains of mice. Previous experience with cell culture, rodent handling, molecular biology techniques (PCR, western blot), immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy are a plus.

The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to academic publications published in peer-reviewed journals, participate in lab meetings, and attend relevant talks/meetings. The Junior Specialist will be encouraged to read recent literature and develop new hypotheses, and they will have opportunities to present research findings at local and broader scientific conferences. The junior specialist will be expected to provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants that rotate through the lab. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication and decision-making skills, a strong interest in Neuroscience, and must be able to work well independently and as part of a team.

Research and Professional Competence (90% effort)

•Provide support to research staff to enroll, track and follow research study patients Identifysubjects for the studies including stroke and hemorrhage patients and controls Obtain consentson all subjects and draw bloods
•Interact with patients in hospital or clinic, including acute stroke situations
•Process blood samples as needed for each study protocol
•Enter subject data into our established database and update it as needed provide support to research staff to provide study data or supplies
•Oganize study documents
•Attend teleconferences, study monitoring visits, audits, etc.
•Assist CRC with maintenance of regulatory documents and correspondence
•Assist CRC with IRB and SAE paperwork as needed
•Engage in academic activities such as peer-reviewed publications, grant proposals, research reports. and talk/poster presentations
•Participate in all lab meetings, discussing ongoing and future projects with clinical andresearch faculty and staff
•Attend discussions with collaborators such as weekly journal clubs, Neurology Grand Rounds, and other relevant presentations

University and Public Service (10% effort)

•Present at local forums
•Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and educate them on how to operate in the lab

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, Behavior, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Psychology, or a related field.
• Strong background in neurobiology and science.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative
• Possesses critical problem-solving skills and a positive attitude
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative program
• Organizational skills and systems
• Ability to work full-time, though ideal candidates wanting part-time positions will be considered

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 1-2 years' experience in a lab setting
• Experience with rodent handling
• Prior experience with cell culture, specifically primary cell culture
• Familiarity with molecular biologic techniques, such as PCR or western blot
• Prior experience with immunohistochemistry and/or electron microscopy

For full consideration, applications must be received by October 15, 2021; however, the position will remain open until filled through December 31, 2021. Qualified applicants should apply online at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04482. Applicants should submit cover letter, curriculum vitae and contact information 2 references. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files. Please direct questions to Joe Valadez @ jvaladez@ucdavis.edu.

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.

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 UCD positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

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

UC Davis supports Family-friendly recruitments. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second person to accompany a faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender) of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age. http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work- life/index.html

At UC Davis, a Work Life program has been in place since January 2003. A group of Faculty Advisors for Work Life was established in 2007 to help publicize and inform the faculty about the programs, policies, and resources associated with work life/life changes. This group of advisors represents various academic units (colleges, schools, divisions) on the campus. The following summarizes the programs and updated UC policy. http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html

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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, Behavior, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Psychology, or a related field.
• Strong background in neurobiology and science.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative
• Possesses critical problem-solving skills and a positive attitude
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative program
• Organizational skills and systems
• Ability to work full-time, though ideal candidates wanting part-time positions will be considered

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• 1-2 years' experience in a lab setting
• Experience with rodent handling
• Prior experience with cell culture, specifically primary cell culture
• Familiarity with molecular biologic techniques, such as PCR or western blot
• Prior experience with immunohistochemistry and/or electron microscopy

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter (Optional)

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

Reference requirements
  • 2 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04482

Help contact: jvaladez@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

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 University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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