The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist for the Silverman Lab.

This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions towards advancing translation for rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders in neuroscience. Successful candidates will also participate in career building opportunities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBLITIES

The incumbent for this position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in translational neuroscience using in vitro and in vivo preclinical model systems of neurodevelopmental disorders. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work with preclinical cellular and rodent models of genetic neurodevelopmental disorders as well as environmental exposures that impair neurological and neuropsychiatric health. The incumbent will provide technical support and will actively participate in the research for grants funded by the National Institutes of Health and private foundations.

The incumbent will contribute to maintaining efficient laboratory management and workflow, ordering, grant writing, leading annual inspections for biological and chemical safety and manuscript preparation.

The Silverman Lab conducts in vitro and in vivo preclinical model systems of neurodevelopmental disorders including rodent behavior, neurophysiological and anatomical analyses of preclinical cellular and rodent models of human neurological and neuropsychitric disorders, with a large focus of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) defined by autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability disorders (DD) and pediatric epilepsy. Tasks that measure learning and memory, neurological evaluations, sensory, motor, anxiety-related, sleep, seizures, and other abnormalities in vivo. RNA and protein quantification, drug administration, neuronal imaging and analysis, in vitro are additional components of the position.

This position is through the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, in association with the UC Davis MIND Institute.

I. RESEARCH ACTIVITY (70% EFFORT)

• Understanding of general laboratory procedures including sterile techniques, preparation of analytical reagents, small animal work, tissue dissection for cell culture work and biological assays, and use of analytical laboratory equipment.
• Ability to independently and proactively gather research information that will allow for forward progress and problem solving in the laboratory.
• Work successfully among a fast paced competitive, interdisciplinary team.
• Breeding of genetically modified mice, basic rodent husbandry, andtissue dissection.
• Harvest tissue from genetic models and environmental exposure models.
• Harvest tissue from genetic models and environmental exposure models to plate and generate primary neuronal culture models
• Be responsible for information critical to maintaining live mutant rodent colonies, and maintaining primary neuronal cultures,with outstanding, organized records.
• Utilize fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells and iPSC differentiated neurons
• Assist and Perform genotyping subjects with a high level of knowledge of DNA extraction and PCR procedures
• Perform rtPCR for RNA, and western blotting for protein and troubleshooting of these biological assays.
• Analyzing physiological and biological data.
• Data management, processing, and statistical analysis of experimental data.
• Flexibility with time and research project focus areas.
• Writing experimental methods, data graphics, and statistical software.

II. LABORATORY OVERSIGHT (20% EFFORT)

• Work with PI to track grant budgets.
• Take regular inventory of supplies, prepare orders, and keep track of purchases.
• Keep administration paperwork for laboratory safety and animal care and use records.
• Prepare for laboratory inspections and liaison with inspectors.
• Ensuring adherence to IACUC protocols, and Laboratory and chemical safety Inventories and Inspections.
• Maintaining laboratory cleanliness and organization.
  
• Contribute to designing new testing protocols, maintaining, and repairing equipment, and overseeing that the physical space used by the research program is in good order.
  

III. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

• Participate in lab meetings by sharing and discussing data , journal articles and communicate lab needs and requiremnts to the team.
• Preparation of text and data as figures for grant applications and for publication.
• Review of research proposals, journal manuscripts, and other publications.
• Present research at local and/or international scientific conferences (at the discretion of the PI).
  
• Represent the laboratory for inspections with a broad variety type of inspections.

IV. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

• Liaison with funding agencies and parent foundations, representing the Silverman lab Team.
• Meet with other external groups on issues related to the lab’s area of expertise.
• Perform tours of the laboratory to community members and patient advocacy teams.
• Be actively involved in the scientific components of the research program through contributions to laboratory meetings, MIND Institute meetings, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and interactions with visiting scientists and parents/family members of affected individuals.

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.

• “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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, 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

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.

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 or 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.

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