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The Project Scientist will be responsible for the overall operational and administrative management of a newly established Behavioral Services Core (BSC) that will provide rodent behavior testing to a broad faculty user base, and potentially outside users, at the UC Davis School of Medicine (SOM). The BSC will be housed in a state-of-the-art research facility and innovation district on the Sacramento Health System campus. The BSC will provide equipment and expertise needed to perform a wide range of rodent behavioral tests to study genetic or environmental risk factor based neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, pain and healing, addiction, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric disorders. Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research Infrastructure, Dr. Melissa Bauman, the Project Scientist will manage the day-to-day activities of the BSC and work in close contact with the faculty users and their laboratory staff. The Project Scientist will be accountable to the BSC Steering Committee, which will be led by Dr. Jill Silverman in her role as Faculty Scientific Advisor. In collaboration with the steering committee and SOM campus leadership, the Project Scientist will contribute to a financial management plan to establish a self-supporting unit, including formulating rate proposals in compliance with federal costing policies, budget forecasting, and personnel management as well as documenting demand for the services

Project Scientists are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency in the field of behavioral neuroscience. Appointees with Project Scientist series may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, etc.), they are not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. The Project Scientist will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Expertise and Scientific Knowledge (60% EFFORT)

Research Activities (50%): The responsibilities of the incumbent would include conducting rodent behavioral experiments, training and supervising core users, validating experimental protocols, setting up equipment for use, coordinating online scheduling, and maintaining strict adherence to Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) protocols. Utilizing specific expertise in behavioral neuroscience, the Project Scientist will consult with principal investigators and their affiliated staff to develop an experimental approach suitable for the research objectives and the capabilities of the specialized equipment. The Project Scientist will ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility of services offered through the BSC and provide training on experimental design, research applications, instrument utilization and data analysis to BSC users as needed. The Project Scientist will coordinate user appointments to ensure maximum utilization of the core’s equipment resources.

Manuscript and Grant Writing Support (10%): As a partner in the research projects of a large number of investigators, the Project Scientist may also assist researchers in the preparation of methodology descriptions and figures for publications. The appointee will assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The appointee 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.

Operational and Fiscal (30% EFFORT)
The Project Scientist will be responsible for the administration and operation of this scientific shared resource program. The Project Scientist will be responsible for the fiscal management of the BSC, including: managing and developing internal and external revenue streams, developing new services to increase income opportunities, pursuing philanthropic support for equipment purchases, overseeing supplies and resources utilization, and assisting in writing grants to internal units and extramural agencies to obtain costly new equipment. The Project Scientist will prepare and present annual budget forecasts and usage reports to the SOM Dean’s Office.

Professional Competence and Activity (10% EFFORT)
The candidate is expected to participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of behavioral neuroscience instrumentation and applications, and serve as a reviewer of research proposals, and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate may also attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may also coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings and/or educational functions. The appointee will participate in preparing publications in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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.

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