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Assistant Specialist- Pathology and Lab Medicine
Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan Lab

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine located in Sacramento campus is seeking a full-time Assistant Specialist. The purpose of this position is to perform animal research support to Dr. Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan’s lab research programs.

Wan lab focuses on diet and metabolism associated disorders using mouse models. Data generated from mouse disease models are often validated using human specimens or available human data. This position requires experience in basic research especially using mouse and cell lines as models. The Specialist is expected to work independently as well as a team member.

The Specialist should be competent in literature search, gathering background information, able to work with the PI or other members for hypothesis generation, perform the experiment, and interpret data. The Specialist is expected to have some leadership skill to organize the lab and make initiation in both lab management and executing experiments.

Successful candidates should have taken upper levels of biochemistry and molecular biology, a good understanding of human health and diseases. Knowledge in bioinformatics and omics data analysis are huge plus. The organs studied in the Wan lab include the liver, the colon, and the brain, and they are connected via the diet-gut-liver axis or the gut-brain axis.

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% EFFORT)
A. The Specialist will use her/his research experience and expertise to lead or support research projects under the direction of the PI or senior members in the lab. Specific duties for this position include writing of research projects/protocols, evaluating cost effectiveness, setting up priority, assessment of material requirements, management and analysis of research data, as well as manuscript preparation.
B. The Specialist is expected to have the following technical skills. The frequently used skills are animal/mouse handling, maintain and breed mouse colonies, interventions using oral gavage or injections through different routes for mice, mouse necropsy, mouse genotyping using PCR, tissue and blood processing, RNA or DNA extraction, cell culture, prepare chemicals, check pH, real-time PCR, biochemistry assays, taking photos for histology, quantification using imaging, bioinformatics data analysis. The Specialist should strict adherence to protocol, require keen observation, and extensive documentation as well as pay attention to details to ensure reproducibility. The Specialist are expected to have prior experience in teaching students or junior specialist to perform research.
C. This position will also be responsible for assisting in writing and submitting animal protocols and other research documents, and presentations. Evaluation of performance in research activities or in outreach activities as deemed applicable to the individual project in specialized areas, as documented by any of the following: 1) Publications that acknowledge the Specialist's significant and meaningful contribution to the work; 2) Publications on which the Specialist is an author.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
Review and editing protocols, research proposals or manuscripts.
Generating reference list for citation.
Highly qualified candidates are expected to have prior publications in peer-reviewed journals.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
A. Participate in research presentation within the department or campus as appropriate.
B. Participate in outreach and recruitment of new lab members.
C. Be a strong advocate to promote lab research and findings using various tools including social media.

Number of Positions Available: 3

Term of Appointment:
One year with possibility to extend. Appointment based on the needs of the research project. 100% Appointment.

For the full position description and to apply, visit https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05933

The resulting hire will be at the Assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

This posting will remain open until filled through 2/09/2024.

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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

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