Assistant Project Scientist - Hartigan-O’Connor Lab

University of California, Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology invites applications for a full-time Project Scientist at the Assistant level. The appointee will work under supervision and contribute to a productive research program focused on modeling host-virus interactions.

Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and at least four years of postdoctoral gammaherpesvirus experience, with expertise in proximity-labeling techniques and

Qualifications

• This position requires a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with at least four years of postdoctoral gammaherpesvirus experience.
• Experience with proximity-labeling experiments and collaborative research with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to contribute to peer-reviewed publications and to assist in proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead creative research projects within the host-virus interaction area.
• Supervise students or technicians and help design experiments and methods.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and assist with grant writing and reporting.
• Present results at seminars and conferences and coordinate lab activities.

Skills

Research planning

Lab supervision

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences

Job description

The University of California (UC) Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology seeks to hire a full-time employee as a Project Scientist at the Assistant level.

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 competency. 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. Dennis Hartigan-O’Connor and have 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 modeling host-virus interactions. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator, design specific projects including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques, 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 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.

Position duties include proximity-labeling experiments, studying virus replication, analyzing vaccine responses in animal models, and analyzing success or failure of prophylactic strategies against viral infection. The candidate must have experience in proximity labeling. The candidate will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team and assist in writing proposals and progress reports for funding from federal agencies or other sources. The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. They will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. They may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

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 fields of immunology and metabolism 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.

3) UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0% Effort)

• The appointee may occasionally undertake administrative tasks relevant to the smooth running of the laboratory enterprise as appropriate.

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

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and have at least four years' postdoctoral experience in gammaherpesvirus research.