Recruit

The MIND Institute at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a full-time faculty member in the Regular, In-Residence or Regular/In-Residence series at the Associate/Full Professor rank in the field of translational research in neurodevelopmental disabilities. Faculty in this series are expected to engage in teaching, independent research and creative work, demonstrate professional competence and activity, and provide University and public service.

EXPECTATIONS
The successful candidate will have a strong interest in neuroscience with demonstrated ability to garner external funding. Understanding that the term translational research in autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities holds many meanings, we provide examples of areas of study that candidates may be engaged in, although this list is not necessarily exhaustive:

• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) research that helps clarify basic biology, the existence of phenotypic differences, and/or treatment strategies for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Clinical and basic cognitive neuroscience using novel neuroimaging or other techniques, and sophisticated data analytic methods or computational approaches to help reveal how brain circuits process information through development. Such studies might offer leads for biomarker development, early diagnosis and treatment, clarification of the link between brain functioning and symptoms, better understanding of how interventions work, and that generally promote precision medicine approaches that help autistic persons and individuals with other neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Behavioral neuroscience that utilizes animal models that incorporate genetic or environmental constructs, to promote the understanding of behavioral and biological phenotypes, and to identify biomarkers and molecular mechanisms that may underlie them, with the goal of improving the precision of pharmacological interventions and other treatments for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Genetics and genomics research that clarifies molecular contributions to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions and phenotypes to identify relevant pathways and druggable targets that more precisely map to autism biology, leading to advances in drug development for autistic persons and individuals with other neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Other efforts to understand the factors at the genetic, molecular, and cellular systems level that contribute to the development of the autism phenotype and those of other neurodevelopmental conditions through different phases of the lifespan with the goal of improving the lives of individuals with these phenotypes.

More specifically, they will be expected to:
• Lead and conduct translational science research in neurodevelopmental disabilities, as evidenced by appropriate scientific publications.
• Provide leadership by bringing national and international recognition to the MIND Institute via understanding and treatment for neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Garner funding for their own research and programmatic efforts across MIND Institute disciplines and expertise.
• Maintain an active relationship with the local professional community and enhance the academic and intellectual life of the MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, and UC Davis.
• Participate in appropriate professional societies and educational organizations, including taking a leadership role in those organizations.
• Participate in service on research review boards.
• Engage in teaching and scholarly activities focused in the area of neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Teach courses regularly for undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or medical students in the area of neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Mentor early career scientists, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Provide service to department, school and campus committees.
• Foster collegiality and work collaboratively in a diverse environment.
• Adhere to University policies and procedures.
• Research focus area should be in translational research in autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities, including but not limited to iPSCs, cognitive neuroscience, genetics/genomics, and genome manipulation using diverse model systems.

The incumbent will be the holder of the Robert E. Chason Endowed Chair in Translational Research at the UC Davis MIND Institute. The endowment will support the Chair's efforts in research, teaching and public service, and further the mission the MIND Institute and the campus. The MIND Institute is a collaborative international research center, committed to the awareness, understanding, prevention, and treatment of the challenges associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Founded in 1998 by families of children with autism, they envisioned experts from disciplines related to brain development to work towards finding and developing treatments to reduce the challenges and improve the quality of life for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. The MIND Institute is especially known for research and clinical therapies developed for Autism, Fragile X Syndrome, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Experience to be appointed at the advanced Associate or Full Professor rank. This recruitment is conducted at the associate/full rank. The resulting hire will be at the associate/full rank, regardless of the proposed appointee’s qualifications.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all first choice candidates for Academic Senate Assistant Professor or Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6, or Acting Professor of Law positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for assistant professor to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.  Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for Academic Senate Assistant Professor or Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6, or Acting Professor of Law positions will be subject to reference checks.

For the full position description and to apply, visit https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05444. This position will remain open until filled through June 30, 2023.

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 Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment.(Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.