Assistant Project Scientist - LaSalle Lab

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology seeks a full‑time Project Scientist at the Assistant level to contribute to an active research program in epigenomics and lipidomics.

The appointee will design and execute experiments, analyze data, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, mentor students, and assist in grant proposals while working under the supervision of Dr. LaSalle in a diverse, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have MD or PhD and at least four years of postdoctoral experience in medical bioinformatics, computational biology, and epigenomics.
• Experience with DNA methylome and lipidome investigations; clinical and molecular understanding of diseases; HPC usage and lab management.
• Training in statistical methods in clinical research; training in social determinants of health and developmental origins of health and disease; systems biology approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of research projects in epigenomics and lipidomics.
• Supervise students/technicians in technical aspects and methods development.
• Publish in peer‑reviewed journals and assist in grant proposals.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Epigenomics

Lipidomics

Mentoring

Oral and written communication

Education

MD/PhD

Tools

High performance computing

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $79,400 at step 1, $83,700 at step 2, and $88,000 at step 3.

Position 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. LaSalle 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 developmental origins of health and disease. 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‑sh‑ooting 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‑sh‑ooting 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 DNA methylome and lipidome investigations across a range of human diseases including autism, cancer, and Alzheimer's. 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 epigenomics and developmental origins of health and disease. The candidate 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. For the full position description and to apply, visit recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07901.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Candidates must possess a M.D. or Ph.D. and have at least four years of postdoctoral experience in medical bioinformatics, computational biology, and epigenomics.

Additional qualifications

The following research experience is required for this position: prior research experience in both bench and bioinformatic aspects of DNA methylome and lipidome investigations, broad clinical and molecular understanding of a range of human diseases including autism, cancer, and Alzheimer's; expertise in usage and lab management of high performance computing environment; training in statistical methods in clinical research; training in social determinants of health research; training in developmental origins of health and disease research; training in systems biology approaches to epigenomics and lipidomics research; a successful track record of mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in both bench and bioinformatic methods; outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Preferred qualifications

Experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds in bench and bioinformatic approaches. Experience reviewing manuscripts.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Davis

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: Affimative 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.

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 is also a national leader in inclusive practice. 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.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

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.

Job location

Davis, CA