Professional Researcher (Assistant/Associate)

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full-time Professional Researcher at the Assistant or Associate rank.

The Professional Researcher develops and oversees their own independent, creative, and high-quality research program equivalent to that required for the Professor series. The Professional Researcher takes major responsibility and leadership for their program(s). Generally, the appointee is expected to secure funding as a Principal Investigator but may be funded as a co-PI within a large center or collaborative program grant on which many independent investigators are working, as long as it is clear that the activities led by the professional researcher within the larger project constitute his/her own independent research program. Appointees do not have teaching responsibilities.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has approximately 65 residents in six residency training programs and 90 faculty and staff psychiatrists and psychologists at the UC Davis Medical Center and the Northern California VA Health System. The Department provides a stimulating teaching and academic environment: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/psychiatry/. The department provides a stimulating teaching and research academic environment and serves a culturally diverse population. The Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California, Davis, recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty in honoring their often-competing commitments to both family and career and provides work-life balance for its faculty in a beautiful Northern California academic setting.

The selected candidate will be expected to develop an independent research program focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and trinucleotide repeat disorders.

The candidate will also contribute to ongoing research on fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), particularly studies aimed at identifying early risk markers prior to disease onset and characterizing molecular changes during the "conversion" process when initial symptoms emerge.

In addition, the candidate is expected to collaborate with clinicians on current and upcoming drug clinical trials. While research goals may be developed in collaboration with principal investigators, the candidate will independently design specific projects. This includes selecting appropriate methodologies, techniques, and study populations-particularly (but not limited to) those involving FMR1 premutation-associated conditions.

The candidate will be responsible for collecting, summarizing, and analyzing research data; securing extramural funding to support their independent research program; and publishing findings as senior author in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

Independent Research Leadership

• Developing an autonomous research program focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and trinucleotide-repeat disorders.
• Contributing to current investigations of fragile X associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), particularly in identifying early risk markers prior to disease onset and characterizing molecular changes during the "conversion" period when symptoms first appear.
• Collaborating with clinicians on ongoing and planned therapeutic clinical trials, and independently designing specific research projects-including selecting methodologies, techniques, and relevant study populations (especially FMR1 premutation-associated conditions).
• Collecting, summarizing, and analyzing experimental data; securing funding (e.g., grants) to support the independent program; and publishing results as senior author in peer-reviewed journals.

Scholarly Engagement and Professional Service

• Actively participating in relevant professional societies and conferences, including presenting research at both national and international scientific meetings.
• Serving as a reviewer for research proposals and scientific manuscripts, and participating as a member of editorial boards.
• Attending seminars regularly to disseminate research findings and engage with peers and collaborators.

University and Public Service is required if hired at the Associate rank.

The candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. The candidate will also engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals or public agencies.

Additionally, the candidate will train, consult with, and advise graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, particularly in the areas of experimental design, methodology, and data analysis related to studies in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant/associate rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant/associate rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Genetics, Molecular Biology, or Cellular Biology
• Strong interest in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders
• A minimum of four years of postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent research experience
• Demonstrated record of leadership, independence, and productivity in high-impact research
• Proven ability to establish and maintain extramurally funded research programs
• Strong academic record, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in bioinformatics, data analysis, and statistical software
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate research findings
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with scientific colleagues on multidisciplinary projects

• Experience with gene expression analysis
• Competency in multi-omics approaches (e.g., transcriptomics, metabolomics, sequencing)
• Expertise in mitochondrial function assays
• Proficiency in cell and tissue culture methodologies
• Experience conducting translational research and working with human subjects
• Familiarity with HIPAA-compliant data handling and research practices
• Strong skills in handling and processing human tissues
• Proficiency in core molecular biology techniques, including:
• RNA and DNA extraction and analysis
• Quantitative RT-PCR
• ELISA
• Immunoblotting (Western blot)

• Knowledge of CLIA guidelines and approaches are preferred
  
  
• Experience in managing software development teams
• Knowledge of Fragile X syndrome and associated disorders
• CRISPR editing

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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

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 (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

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. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

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.

UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

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As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.