Assistant Specialist-Pedersen/Brooks-Kayal Lab

The Department of Neurology at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full-time Assistant Specialist in research on the cellular and molecular pathways that mediate the development of epilepsy following brain injury.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The Assistant Specialist has the general duties of working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) in the planning and execution of a research project. Specifically, the assistant specialist may assist in data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, literature reviews and data analysis, and contribute to manuscripts writing (e.g., methods and results sections, table, and figure generation) for a particular project.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Amy Brooks-Kayal and Dr. Nigel Pedersen and will have the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

I. RESEARCH (80% Effort)

A. The incumbent will collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities involving animal models of epilepsy to elucidate mechanisms underlying the development of this disease in order to identify novel targets for epilepsy treatment and prevention. The candidate will perform technical/routine laboratory functions under the supervision of a Faculty Member and/or SRA IV including: maintaining and breeding of rodents (mice and rats); intraperitoneal (IP) and intrahippocampal (IH) rodent injections; rodent brain surgeries; monitoring and scoring of seizures; EEG recordings collection and analysis; laboratory maintenance (cleaning of glassware, autoclaving, stocking supplies); preparation of solutions; molecular biology and histological techniques; and collection and analysis of data.

Some of the duties associated with this position entail activities to be performed in confined spaces. The incumbent will be required to sit or stand for extended period of time while performing rodent surgeries and/or scoring behavioral seizures.

This is a 100% on site position. General work hours are Mon-Fri 8hrs/day. Occasional long hours and/or weekends will be required based on laboratory and department needs.

Specific duties may include:

1) Maintain up-to-date records, training of lab members, and compliance with safety and institutional care and use of animal protocols;

2) Keep laboratory methodological protocols up to date (e.g., for histology, PCR, surgery);

3) Maintain a clean and orderly working environment in the laboratory;

4) Cleaning of glassware, autoclaving, stocking supplies;

5) Aid other lab members in the performance of their work;

6) Assist with animal (mice and rats) housing, care and monitoring;

7) Assist with and perform rodents' surgery including intracranial electrode implantation;

8) Assist with rodents intraperitoneal (IP) and intracranial injections;

7) Assist with rodents' behavioral seizure scoring;

8) Assist with and perform EEG interpretation once appropriately trained;

8) Perform basic histological, biochemical and molecular biological procedures;

9) Assist with animal tissue harvesting, sectioning, staining and collection of microscopy images;

10) Write and maintain precise records relative to all research procedures and results;

11) Actively contribute to publishable research by collecting and interpreting data;

12) Review journal manuscripts and/or other publications related to epilepsy research.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (10% Effort)

A. Review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10% Effort)

The Assistant Specialist 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

* Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent degree) with a major in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biology, Bioengineering or a related field;

* 1-3 years of relevant post-baccalaureate research experience in neuroscience or related fields;

* Experience working in animal research-based wet labs;

* Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make critical decisions;

* Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills;

* Excellent written and oral communication skills;

* Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

* Knowledge of animal care and handling;

* Prior training in stereotaxic surgery in rodents;

* Ability to perform surgery for implantation of electrodes for EEG recording;

* Familiarity with seizure analysis in EEG recordings;

* Tissue harvesting and sectioning;

* Basic molecular biology (PCR) and biochemical techniques (Western blot, Immunohistochemistry).

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

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For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

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