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Assistant Project Scientist - Grandi Lab 2024

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $71,500-$86,900.

Application Window

Open date: March 21, 2024

Most recent review date: Sunday, Apr 7, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology invites applications for 1 full-time academic position in the Assistant Project Scientist series.

We seek a highly motivated and skilled project scientist to help lead studies on the role of sex and age in contributing to atrial arrhythmias. Investigations will be carried out at the molecular/cellular, whole organ, and in vivo levels, and experiments will be complemented with quantitative mathematical modeling, which will incorporate relevant experimental data. The candidate will have at least 10 years of expertise with respect to electrophysiological characterization of atrial cells and tissues, including whole-organ optical mapping of transmembrane potential and intracellular calcium, cellular measurements of calcium transients and sparks, immunohistochemical labeling and fluorescence microscopy, and in vivo animal handing and ECG recording techniques. The successful candidate will be a member of our dynamic, interactive research team and will engage in scholarly discussions with colleagues on new ideas and concepts. The candidate will also be expected to develop independent lines of research broadly related to cardiac arrhythmias and generate data that will be essential for informing and validating computational models of cardiac electrophysiology.

The duties and responsibilities of this position include: performing skilled experimental procedures, collecting and analyzing electrophysiological data, preparing respective figures for scientific publications, presentations and grant applications, submitting independent grant applications relevant to the candidate’s research, and maintaining the highest regulatory and safety standards within the laboratory environment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. RESEARCH (80%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating the role of sex and age in contributing to atrial arrhythmias. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He/she will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the candidate may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, troubleshooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The candidate may also be expected to occasionally work on projects with collaborators, both inside and outside UC Davis.

In particular, the candidate is required to have theoretical and practical knowledge of cardiac electrophysiology, arrhythmia mechanisms, and autonomic control of the heart. Most desirable is expertise with optical mapping of transmembrane potential and intracellular calcium in intact tissues, electrophysiological data analysis, and experience with in vivo animal models of cardiovascular disease. Other potential expertise includes cellular and biochemical analysis of cardiac proteins and microscopic techniques to determine protein expression and localization. The candidate must be able to perform and interpret respective experiments. The candidate will be expected to develop new ideas about how sex hormones impact electrophysiological activity. The candidate will further be expected to publish results and assist the Principle Investigator in supervising and training graduate and undergraduate students.

Publication
The candidate will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition
The candidate will assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The candidate will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed. In consultation with the PI, the candidate will develop and submit independent grant applications relevant to the candidate’s career stage and research program.

Safety and Regulatory Expectations
The candidate is expected to maintain the highest regulatory and safety standards within the laboratory environment, including strict adherence to animal protocols, laboratory safety regulations, and maintaining detailed documentation of compliance where appropriate.

2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences relevant to his/her specific field of and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions. The candidate may serve on national or international grant review panels as appropriate.

3. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10%)
The candidate will engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies. The candidate will engage in university service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position. However, the candidate is expected to supervise graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

For the full position description and to apply, visit https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06400.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, Physiology or related field.
  • At least 10 years of relevant research experience (i.e., optical mapping of transmembrane potential and intracellular calcium in intact tissues, electrophysiological data analysis, and experience with in vivo animal models of cardiovascular disease, as supported by recent publications).
  • Expertise in designing and planning of research projects.
  • Experience in writing research papers and grant applications.
  • Skill in analyzing and evaluating data.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team player.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research - Brief statement of research interests and career objectives

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06400

Help contact: ahtkhan@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

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 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.

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Job location

Davis, CA