Junior Specialist Position

Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science
UC Davis School of Medicine

PI lab: Yin Allison Liu, MD, PhD, and and Min Zhao, MD, PhD

The Junior Specialist will also be responsible for coordinating new clinical trial and research studies including assisting with recruitment, performing cognitive testing and other assessments, completing study documents, and tracking and entering data. Additionally, they will ensure compliance with university-stipulated safety standards.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

I. Research in Specialized Areas: (85% effort)
The laboratory of Dr. Yin Allison Liu’s research team conducts translational research projects involving retinal cell biology, nanotechnology, genome engineering, and ophthalmic imaging.

The incumbent in this position will:

Contribute to translational and basic science research projects by

• Participate in planning, execution, and presentation of experiments involving mammalian tissue cultures, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, histology and animal surgery / imaging.
• Participate in lab activities, assist with maintenance of equipment and supplies, care of mouse colony
• Communicate with sponsors
• Assist in all activities related to translational research
• Occasional observation in the principal investigator’s clinical practice in neuro-ophthalmology.

General Responsibilities:

• Manage datasets, records, and research documentation.
• Educate and mentor volunteer and students in the laboratory as required. Such as allowing them to shadow you while performing experiments.
• Establish and maintain animal cell culture lines using sterile techniques.
• Prepare sterile media/reagents and maintain sterile facilities.
• Update/modify standard laboratory procedures to fulfill the needs of each research project.

II. Professional Competence and Activity: (10% effort)

• Prepare manuscripts for publication in collaboration with the principal investigators. Responsibilities include literature review, drafting methods and results sections, preparing tables and figures, assisting with statistical interpretation, and revising manuscripts for submission.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences, research meetings, and departmental seminars.
• Mentor undergraduate students involved in clinical research projects. -Actively contribute to lab activities through staff meetings and presentations to colleagues and researchers from various scientific communities.

III. University and Public Service: (5 %effort)
Participate in activities of Lab Safety Committee (Departmental) Skills/Qualifications:

• Organized, motivated, attentive to detail, punctual.
• Experience with research animals.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, EMR, etc.
• Able to learn new software applications to support research studies.
• CITI human subjects training.
• Project management for coordinating aspects of research studies.
• Data processing.
• Manuscript preparation and writing.

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
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state for federal law.

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.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in 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.

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