Recruit

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full time Junior or Assistant Specialist in Neuroscience.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE
The Specialist appointee has the general duties of working closely with each of the Principal Investigators (PI) in the planning and execution of research projects. This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on translational and basic science research, with additional opportunities for clinical research projects and clinical shadowing, in the field of traumatic brain injury.

The appointee will be expected to assist in data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, literature reviews, and data analysis for preparation of manuscripts or conference presentations, and writing conference abstracts and manuscripts (e.g., introduction, methods, and results sections; table and figure generation) for diverse projects. The appointee will also be expected to help maintain organization of lab supplies and adherence to general laboratory safety and operational protocols in accordance with institutional policies.

Projects in the lab include the study of intracranial hypertension following traumatic brain injury with development of an investigative animal model, identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, evaluation of physiologic outcomes (e.g., cognition/memory), and examination of therapeutics as it relates to neuromodulation, neuroinflammation, and neuroplasticity.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Krupa Savalia and they should also be able to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment with other students/personnel/collaborators.

I. RESEARCH (90% Effort)

A. The appointee will be primarily focused on research involving the study of traumatic brain injury. Expectations and duties affiliated with research activities and membership in the lab include:

1) Maintain an honest and collegial environment in the lab and with all lab members/collaborators.
2) Effectively plan and execute research projects.
3) Follow protocols for ethical and humane research endeavors with rodents, including rodent handling and surgeries (primarily in rats), rodent brain harvesting with section preparation, and behavioral testing in rodents.

4) Actively contribute to publishable research by collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data.
5) Maintain a detailed record of experiments, data collection, and analyses with open communication to the PI.
6) Assist with grant preparation with direction from the PI.
7) Review journal manuscripts and/or other information related to traumatic brain injury, targeted drug delivery, extracellular vesicles, biomarkers, and neuroplasticity.
8) Assist with overseeing the compliance of lab rodent use, rodent care protocols, and lab safety protocols is related to our projects.
9) Purchase supplies, equipment, and order animals as necessary to complete experiments.
10) Provide support to the laboratory and operational activities as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% Effort)

The appointee will be encouraged to develop academic presentation skills with the goal of disseminating scientific information/results, participate in relevant journal clubs, contribute to departmental or campus seminars, and engage in activities that will further support their own career goals with mentorship from the PI. The appointee will also have the opportunity to shadow physicians who care for patients that sustain traumatic brain injuries in the intensive care unit at UC Davis.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

The appointee may be expected to provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants that rotate through the lab. They will be expected to participate and contribute to laboratory and group meetings, committee service, and other activities, as applicable.

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.