Assistant Project Scientist-Borodinsky Lab
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: March 10, 2025
Next review date: Tuesday, Mar 25, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 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 Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire one, part time (60% effort), Assistant Project Scientist in Dr. Laura Borodinsky’s lab. The Project Scientist will perform research functions in developmental neuroscience.
The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in their academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency in the study of nervous system development. 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
1. RESEARCH (90% EFFORT)
Research activity (80%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of developmental neuroscience and neural tube defects. 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, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The candidate will micro dissect frog embryos and larvae, microinject frog embryos to manipulate gene expression related to folate and folate receptor function and assess the molecular mechanisms underlying neural tube defects. The candidate will perform diverse assays to assess protein expression and protein-protein interaction, including Western blots, coimmunoprecipitation assays, immunohistochemistry and imaging of live and fixed samples and will perform advance 4D-image analysis using NIS Elements and Imaris software. The candidate may collaborate with scientific colleagues in multi-disciplinary projects that include components falling within your area of expertise.
Publication (5%)
The appointee will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.
Grant Acquisition (5%)
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.
2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of developmental neuroscience. They will serve as a reviewer of research proposals, and scientific publications as appropriate. They will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups.
When appropriate, they may coordinate seminars and laboratory meetings.
3. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
The candidate is expected to contribute to outreach activities to promote the research in the lab to the broader community and to enhance the interest in science in young students. This includes but is not limited to, presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies.
*This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant rank regardless of the proposed appointee’s qualifications.
Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. in molecular and cellular physiology or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in laboratory using Xenopus laevis as animal model and in developmental neuroscience and neural tube defects research
• Vast experience with Xenopus laevis animal model
• Strong molecular biology and physiology background
• Micromanipulation of Xenopus laevis embryos
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Evidence of academic accomplishment such as refereed journal papers and conference presentations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Proficient with live imaging of glutamate release and calcium signaling.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Statement of Research
Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Help contact: schgarcia@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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