Recruit

The Institute of Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics (IPN) at the University of California, Davis, is seeking a Director of Pharmacology to join our team. This position will be housed in the in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology in the School of Medicine and will be in the Professional Researcher series (Academic Federation) with rank and salary commensurate with experience.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Professional Researcher develops and oversees their own independent, creative, and high-quality research program equivalent to that required for the Professor series. The Professional Researcher takes major responsibility and leadership for their programs. Generally, the appointee is expected to secure funding as a Principal Investigator, but may be funded as a co-PI within a large center or collaborative program grant on which many independent investigators are working, as long as it is clear that the activities led by the professional researcher within the larger project constitute his/her own independent research program. Appointees do not have teaching responsibilities. University and Public Service are expected at the Associate/Full ranks (e.g. committee service, guest lecturing, public outreach, managing departmental facilities, involvement in government and/or professional society committees, etc.)

Successful candidates are expected to participate in three major categories as listed below.:

RESEARCH (90% EFFORT)

• Work with the institute’s director and associate director to achieve the goals of the IPN and build a highly visible, world-class research program in neuropharmacology and CNS therapeutic development
• Serve as the leader of the pre-clinical pharmacology team within the IPN
• Work with the Director of Medicinal Chemistry to identify lead candidates for a variety of indications
• Collaborate with IPN affiliated principal investigators and their trainees
• Oversee multiple concurrent research programs, both internal projects and collaborative projects with external academic and industrial partners.
• Manage the design, planning, execution, and analysis of in vitro and in vivo assays and train staff to reliably perform these assays
• Development and implementation of high-throughput assays as needed
• Lead the progression of molecules from lead to therapeutic candidate through pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicological assessments.
• Maintain equipment necessary for the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of compounds
• Work with the Director of Medicinal Chemistry to maintain a proprietary UC Davis compound library and associated databases
• Oversee the safety of IPN laboratories
• Supervision and mentoring of the staff and trainees within the IPN pharmacology team
• Develop new research projects and play a major role in writing grant proposals and securing funding from federal, state, private, and industrial sources
• Publish research results in high impact peer-reviewed journals
• Work with UC Davis Innovation Access and attorneys to file patents to protect UC Davis intellectual property
• Help initiate, evaluate, and implement IPN pilot grants
• Prepare reports and manage data rooms during diligence with potential industrial partners interested in licensing IPN technology
• Other activities may include obtaining and maintaining appropriate laboratory and safety protocols, managing project budgets, supervising employees, writing and submitting progress reports to funding agencies, presenting at conferences, participation in professional societies, and reviewing grants and manuscripts.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and give research presentations at national and international scientific meetings.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
The candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. The candidate will also engage in public outreach and activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals or public agencies.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: (required at the time of application)

• Ph.D. in pharmacology, neuroscience, physiology, or related field
• Have a minimum of 5 years of academic and/or industry experience beyond the Ph.D.
• Outstanding background in assay development/implementation for common targets such as GPCRs, ion channels, and kinases
• Have a demonstrated track record of leading key aspects of drug development programs with a deep understanding of the underlying science.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• An outstanding record of leadership or potential for leadership in research
• Evidence of research or creative activities of high quality, innovation, and significance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: (required at time of application)

• Industrial experience developing small molecule therapeutics
• Experience performing IND-enabling studies
• Expertise in the development of therapeutics for central nervous system disorders

TO APPLY:
To apply, please go to the following link: [https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05613]. This position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants should submit:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit [https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion] for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
• References: 3-5 required (contact information only)

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

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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.