Recruit

The incumbent for this position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in research on human and nonhuman primate brains at a laboratory at the MIND Institute. The candidate will also summarize data, prepare figures, and have the opportunity to assist in writing manuscripts for publication and grant proposals. The incumbent will also provide support for human brain banking programs (assist with donations, process brains, and organize storage and records).
General responsibilities include:
I. RESEARCH ACTIVITY (85%)

• Specific research and technical activities: Provide technical support for ongoing research projects that focus on (i) understanding the impact of maternal infection on offspring brain development (preclinical models) and (ii) the development of amygdala in autism.
• Section and mount tissue, perform immunochemistry on tissues, collect and analyze results, participate in lab meetings and discussions, analyze slides and collect data. Assist with writing journal articles and assemble background data needed for publications.
• Specific duties: Sectioning, mounting, and staining glass slides of human, monkey and rat tissues using various techniques including, but not limited to, cell-body and immunohistochemical stains. Using microscope systems for data collection and quantitative analyses of tissue using, but not limited to, light, fluorescence, confocal, and electron microscopy. Knowledge of chemical principles and basic laboratory techniques are required for this function. Maintain general use chemicals and cleanliness of the laboratory. Provide assistance to other technicians, students, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Brain Bank Support Role: Available weekdays, nights, and occasional weekends to process incoming human brain donations on short notice. This includes preparing space for tissue handling, precisely sectioning unfixed human brains, freezing tissues with the use of liquid nitrogen, and taking photos and detailed notes during sectioning and cleanup. Maintain storage and database management of brain samples. Assist in further processing of tissues such as sectioning human brains on a microtome, mounting on slides and staining. Preparing sections for distribution to other researchers, sectioning large pieces, and shipping to collaborators outside of university. Managing paperwork involved with tracking tissue, MTA’s and providing tissue reports to Medical Examiner. Specific professional activities: Histological processing of formalin fixed human brain tissue, including sectioning and staining, in a research laboratory setting. Data collection using quantitative neuropathological techniques with a microscope and computer-aided software.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)

• Assist principal investigators in formatting figures for presentations, manuscripts, and grants.
• Attend local lectures and conferences
• Present abstracts at local meetings

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)
• Assist PI in STEMM outreach efforts.
• Assist in outreach and education to the public on the importance of research.
• Assist with lab and specimen setup, preparation and cleanup for when PI is teaching graduate students and postdocs.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience or related field.
• Previous experience in neuroscience laboratory with demonstrated basic lab skills. (e.g., preparing laboratory reagents, maintain laboratory equipment).
• Ability to maintain excellent and accurate records, coordinate laboratory schedules, process purchases etc.
• Ability to transport self to and from community site locations.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
• Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel to create and edit data, manage data sets in spreadsheet, perform mathematical tasks accurately using formulas, and create documents.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications including Microsoft Word and Powerpoint, electronic calendaring and e-mail software (Outlook).
• Excellent organization skills, ability to focus and work with multiple interruptions.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: 12 month term appointment from start date at 100% time (full time).

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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