Assistant Project Scientist in Cardiovascular Physiology - Dixon Lab
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 8, 2025
Next review date: Tuesday, Sep 23, 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 Dixon Lab, within the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for one full-time Assistant Project Scientist. The successful candidate will conduct research in the specialty field or subject area of Cardiovascular Physiology.
NATURE AND PURPOSE:
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 Cardiovascular Physiology. 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.
The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Rose Dixon and work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
1. RESEARCH (95 % EFFORT)
Research activity (75 %)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to cardiovascular ion channel physiology and aging, and associated methods and applications. . The successful candidate will work with 1) isolation of freshly dissociated ventricular myocytes, 2) patch clamp electrophysiology in cardiomyocytes, 3) super-resolution imaging and proximity ligation assay for evaluation of nanomolecular complexes, 4) dynamic TIRF imaging and analysis and 5) echocardiography.
The Project Scientist will be a member of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physiologists, cell biologists, and biophysicists. They will be expected to interact with all members of the group and collaborating laboratories and to engage in scholarly discussions with colleagues on new ideas and concepts.
This position’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, independently planning and executing experiments focused on ion channel and cardiac protein trafficking and function, spatiotemporal properties, calcium signaling, formation of nanomolecular complexes, and the effects of aging and various treatments on cardiac function. The selected candidate will also be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data for scientific publications and assisting with student training.
Publication (10 %)
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 (10 %)
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 cardiovascular physiology, 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.
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/JPF07281.
Qualifications
• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Physiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral research experience, with no more than 7 years of post-terminal degree research experience.
• Experience in isolation of adult mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes, whole cell and single channel patch clamp electrophysiology, super-resolution imaging, immunocytochemistry, echocardiography, western blot, cell culture and transient transfection of mammalian cell lines, genotyping, animal handling and colony management.
• Evidence of academic accomplishment such as referred journal papers and conference presentations.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. with a complete list of publications
Cover Letter - Summarize your interest in the position, your relevant background, and how your experience aligns with the goals of the laboratory and department.
Statement of Research - Outline your research experience, methodologies, and accomplishments that demonstrate your potential as an independent researcher. Include ongoing work and future plans, emphasizing technical expertise, scholarly contributions, and original, creative impact on research projects.
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 required (contact information only)
•References should be from an academic or research institution with standards comparable to the University of California.
• References should hold a rank equal to or higher than the one being sought.
• Include the following information for your professional references:
□ Name
□ Title
□ Company or Organization
□ Email Address
□ Phone Number
References may be asked to provide letters or may be contacted by phone or email, using a consistent set of questions for each candidate.
Help contact: jstillwell@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.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
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