Assistant Specialist - Wang Lab

University of California; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Davis, Department of Neurology is seeking a full-time Assistant Specialist in cellular/molecular neuroscience. Under PI Yan Wang, the role involves planning and executing research projects, manuscript preparation, and grant applications in glial cell biology and CNS therapies.

The incumbent will work on rodent handling, immunohistochemistry, and data analysis, contributing to in vitro and in vivo studies and scientific publications.

Qualifications

• Experience with rodent handling and brain harvesting.
• Ability to collect and interpret data for publishable research.
• Assist with grant applications and data publications.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; maintain lab safety.
• Knowledge of rodent care and use and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic laboratory work including rodent handling and brain processing.
• Actively contribute to publishable research by collecting and interpreting data.
• Assist with grant applications and data publications.
• Maintain a collaborative lab environment and help others in their work.
• Oversee compliance of rodent use, care protocols and lab safety.

Skills

Rodent handling

Genotyping

Immunohistochemistry

Data interpretation

Grant applications

Lab coordination

Record keeping

Collaborative work

Job description

The Department of Neurology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a full-time Assistant Specialist in the field of cellular/molecular neuroscience. This position will be under the supervision of Principal Investigator (PI) Yan Wang, PhD, and involves the planning and execution of research projects, manuscript preparation, and grant applications.

Dr. Wang’s lab focuses on glial cell biology and pathology in the healthy and diseased central nervous system (CNS), with a particular emphasis on developing therapies for Canavan disease. The lab employs a combination of genetic, molecular, cellular, and high-throughput approaches in both in vitro and in vivo models.

I. RESEARCH (90% Effort)

The incumbent will

• After technical training, perform basic laboratory work, including, but not limited to, rodent handling and genotyping, rodent brain harvesting, brain section preparation, immunohistochemistry, and routine DNA and protein work, independently or collaboratively with lab researchers
• Actively contribute to publishable research by collecting and interpreting data
• Assist with grant applications and data publications
• Maintain a collaborative and collegial environment in the lab and help other lab members in the performance of their work
• Assist with overseeing the compliance of lab rodent use and care protocols and lab safety protocols
• Provide support to the laboratory and operational activities
• Purchase supplies and equipment and maintain the database of all laboratory supplies, chemicals, and purchases.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% Effort)

The incumbent will

• Have opportunities to develop academic presentation skills
• Be encouraged to discuss during lab meetings
• Be encouraged to present their research data at seminars and academic conferences and publish their data at peer-reviewed journals
• Have opportunities to have membership of academic societies.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

The appointee may be expected to provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants that rotate through the lab. They will be expected to participate and contribute to laboratory and group meetings, committee service, and other activities, as applicable.

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

• Superior problem solving, deductive reasoning, and decision‑making skills
• Ability to commit to lengthy, complex projects
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Knowledgeable about lab animal (rodents) care and use
• Skills to manage laboratory supplies and to keep neat and accurate records of experimental details.