Job Opportunities

Recruitment Period

Open Date: March 10, 2025

Next Review Date: March 25, 2025 - Apply by March 25, 2025 (11:59 p.m.) to be considered in the first round of applicants. All applicants received will be released to the Search Committee the following day. More review dates will continue to be added if the position is not filled.

Description

The Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire one, part time (60% effort), Assistant Project Scientist in Laura Borodinsky’s lab. The Project Scientist will perform research functions in developmental neuroscience.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in their 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 in the study of nervous system 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.

Major Responsibilities

1. RESEARCH (90% EFFORT)
   Research Activity (80%)
   This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of developmental neuroscience and neural tube defects. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He/she will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the candidate 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 candidate will micro dissect frog embryos and larvae, microinject frog embryos to manipulate gene expression related to folate and folate receptor function and assess the molecular mechanisms underlying neural tube defects. The candidate will perform diverse assays to assess protein expression and protein-protein interaction, including Western blots, coimmunoprecipitation assays, immunohistochemistry and imaging of live and fixed samples and will perform advance 4D-image analysis using NIS Elements and Imaris software. The candidate may collaborate with scientific colleagues in multi- disciplinary projects that include components falling within your area of expertise.
   
   Publication (5%)
   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 (5% EFFORT)
   The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of developmental neuroscience. They 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.
   
   When appropriate, they may coordinate seminars and laboratory meetings.
3. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT) - OPTIONAL
   The candidate is expected to contribute to outreach activities to promote the research in the lab to the broader community and to enhance the interest in science in young students. This includes but is not limited to, presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular and cellular physiology or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in laboratory using Xenopus laevis as animal model and in developmental neuroscience and neural tube defects research.
• Vast experience with Xenopus laevis animal model
• Strong molecular biology and physiology background
• Micromanipulation of Xenopus laevis embryos
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Evidence of academic accomplishment such as refereed journal papers and conference presentations

Preferred Qualification

• Proficient with live imaging of glutamate release and calcium signaling.

To Apply

To apply, please go to the following link: JPF07020. This position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants must submit

• CV with a complete list of publications
• Statement of research
• Contact information for 3-5 references
• Authorization to Release Information

Recruitment Period

Open Date: January 7, 2025

Next Review Date: February 4, 2025 - Apply by February 4, 2025 (11:59 p.m.) to be considered in the first round of applicants. All applicants received will be released to the Search Committee the following day. More review dates will continue to be added if the position is not filled.

Description:
The Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire one, full time Assistant Project Scientist in the Beleford Lab. The Assistant Project Scientist will perform research functions in vascular biology and human genetics.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in their 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 in vascular biology and human genetics. 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 Daniah Beleford and work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

Major Responsibilities

1. RESEARCH (90% EFFORT)
   Research Activity (70%)
   This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of vascular biology and human genetics methods and applications. Topics include subcellular fractionation, co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, and site-directed mutagenesis in order to identify specific protein binding partners and amino acid residues that facilitate direct binding to other proteins in endothelial cells. They will provide assistance with generating and maintaining patient-derived fibroblast and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cell lines. They will also assist with mouse studies and with maintaining mouse colonies. Finally, the APS will contribute to mentoring and training the lab’s undergraduate, graduate, and junior specialist learners. They will provide input to data interpretation and conduct tracking, optimization of data acquisition and processing, data handling and analysis, and consulting with physician scientists on human application research.
   
   The appointee will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. 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 (10%)
   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 (10%)
   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 (5% EFFORT)
   The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of vascular biology and human genetics 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 and laboratory meeting.
3. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
   The appointee may undertake administrative tasks relevant to the smooth running of the laboratory enterprise as appropriate.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genomics, or Developmental Biology
• At least 4 years of experience in molecular and cell biology post terminal degree.
• Prior experience in mouse genetics, rodent handling, tissue culture, bioinformatics
• Evidence of academic accomplishment such as peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient with specific technology or procedures such as basic molecular biology (PCR, cloning, plasmid prep, DNA and protein electrophoresis, etc.) and cell biology (tissue culture, transfection, etc.)
• Training in genomics and bioinformatics is preferred
• Training in molecular biology and cell biology preferred
• Experience with rodent handling preferred

TO APPLY:
To apply, please go to the following link: JPF06894 . This position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants should submit:

• CV with a complete list of publications
• Statement of research
• Contact information for 3-5 references

Daniah Beleford’s lab, within the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California Davis, is recruiting for a postdoctoral scholar to participate in both basic and translational vascular biology research. Successful candidates will enjoy a supportive, diverse, and stimulating laboratory and departmental environment, filled with lots of collaboration, cutting-edge instrumentation and facilities, and a strong culture of training and mentorship.

The Beleford Lab studies underlying changes in molecular signaling that cause vascular malformations (abnormal development of blood vessels) in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and other genetic vascular conditions. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare Mendelian vascular condition that is characterized by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), direct connections between arteries and veins without intervening capillary beds. It has previously been shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms within the genetic modifier PTPN14 (protein tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor, 14) associate with pulmonary AVMs in two large HHT cohorts. Our preliminary data suggest that the PTPN14 gene product binds and stabilizes BMP9 signaling components in endothelial cells, inhibiting ubiquitin-mediated protein turnover and promoting vascular stability. The Beleford Lab seeks to clarify the molecular interplay between PTPN14 and BMP9, TGFβ, and HIPPO signaling pathway components with the goal of understanding what causes the loss of vascular integrity in HHT and other severe vascular conditions in order to ultimately tailor targeted therapeutic interventions. Competitive applicants will be skilled in basic molecular and cell biology laboratory techniques as well as in mouse handling, crosses and care. The lab uses techniques such as DNA and protein electrophoresis, PCR, immunohisto- and cytochemistry, co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay.

Work/life Balance

UC Davis is a supportive, diverse, and collaborative community, ideally situated in the sunny Sacramento Valley between beautiful Lake Tahoe for winter skiing and summer beaches, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or M.D., D.O., M.B.B.S. degree and should have a demonstrated background in basic molecular and cell biology techniques as above. Additional training in basic genetics and genomics, including in the interpretation of genetic sequencing data, is helpful.

Successful applicants will be expected to stay abreast of current literature in the field, design and execute experiments, assist in the collection of data for grant applications, and to prepare their results for presentation at national and international scientific conferences and for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Successful applicants will also be expected to mentor graduate and undergraduate students, including hands-on teaching at the bench and in the vivarium. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision is also crucial.

Salary

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table 23: Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee, Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow, Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct, Fiscal Year. The salary range for this position is $64,480 – $69,342. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should email the following items to Daniah Beleford at dbeleford@ucdavis.edu.

• CV/Biosketch
• Cover letter expressing your interest in the position
• Minimum of 3 professional references (Name and Email Address)