ASSISTANT PROJECT SCIENTIST – CENTER FOR BIOENGINEERING IN MEDICINE

University of California; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Surgery at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a Project Scientist at the Assistant rank in neural organoid development, neural tube defect disease modeling, stem cell and extracellular vesicle-based therapies, and regenerative medicine.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Aijun Wang and collaborate with diverse colleagues in a dynamic environment. This role emphasizes independent research activities without teaching duties.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biomedical Engineering/ Molecular Biology.
• At least 3 years of experience in developmental disease modeling post terminal degree.
• Expertise in stem cell biology, neural differentiation, and developmental biology, with experience applying these approaches to disease modeling.
• Experience with cellular and molecular characterization techniques, including immunofluorescence, microscopy, gene expression analysis, and quantitative image analysis.
• Experience designing and conducting experiments to evaluate cellular therapies, including stem cell- and extracellular vesicle-based therapeutic approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, analyze and interpret complex experimental data, and troubleshoot experimental approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with physician-scientists, engineers, biologists, and other interdisciplinary research personnel.

Responsibilities

• RESEARCH (85%): Develop an active organoid-based research program with regenerative medicine applications.
• Publications in peer‑reviewed journals, independently or with the team.
• Assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies.
• Participate in professional societies and conferences; attend seminars and present results.
• Coordinate seminars and educational functions as appropriate.

Skills

Stem cell biology

Neural differentiation

Developmental biology

Immunofluorescence

Microscopy

Gene expression analysis

Quantitative image analysis

Cellular therapies

Extracellular vesicle therapies

Experimental design

Data analysis

Collaborations

Education

Ph.D./equivalent in Biomedical Engineering or Molecular Biology

Job description

The Department of Surgery at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a Project Scientist at the Assistant rank in neural organoid development, neural tube defect disease modeling, stem cell and extracellular vesicle-based therapies, and regenerative medicine.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her 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 competence in three-dimensional neural tissue modeling, developmental disease mechanisms, advanced cellular and molecular analysis, and translational therapeutic 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.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Aijun Wang and the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1) RESEARCH (85% Effort)

Research activity (65%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of organoid-based disease modeling and regenerative medicine methods and applications.

Topics include organoid development and cellular tracking, optimization of data acquisition and processing, data handling and analysis, and consulting with physician scientists on regenerative medicine application research.

The appointee will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigators. The Project Scientist will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the appointee 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 appointee collaborates with scientific colleagues in multi-disciplinary projects that include components falling within the appointee’s area of expertise.

Publication (15%)
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 (15% Effort)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field of neural organoid development, disease modeling, stem cell and extracellular vesicle‑based therapies, and regenerative medicine instrumentation and applications 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.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biomedical Engineering/ Molecular Biology.
• At least 3 years of experience in developmental disease modeling post terminal degree.
• Expertise in stem cell biology, neural differentiation, and developmental biology, with experience applying these approaches to disease modeling.
• Experience with cellular and molecular characterization techniques, including immunofluorescence, microscopy, gene expression analysis, and quantitative image analysis.
• Experience designing and conducting experiments to evaluate cellular therapies, including stem cell- and extracellular vesicle-based therapeutic approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, analyze and interpret complex experimental data, and troubleshoot experimental approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with physician-scientists, engineers, biologists, and other interdisciplinary research personnel.