Career Center

The University of California, Davis, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is recruiting for an Assistant Professional Researcher. The candidate for this position will provide significant, original, and creative contributions to a creative research project in the relevant academic discipline of the study of modeling of Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The candidate will develop an independent research program using mouse models to study the molecular mechanisms and multi-omic signatures, neurodevelopmental and anatomical perturbations, and synaptic, circuit, and behavior outcomes that are associated with genetic and environmental risk factors underlying NDDs.

I. RESEARCH (90%)
The specific focus of this research program will be :
a) to investigate the factors that contribute to the causal neurobiology of CHD8 haploinsufficiency and other monogenic forms of NDDs,
b) investigate gene be environment interactions, in particular preclinical rodent models of Maternal Immune Activation (MIA) and Maternal Auto-Antibody (MAA) exposure,
c) to apply region- and cell-type specific analysis to these genetic and environmental models, with particular focus on neuronal subtypes and on the contributions of cerebral cortex and cerebellum,
d) to develop and apply -omics strategies for unbiased and directed systems-level modeling applied to developing and mature brain, including bulk and single cell and single nucleus transcriptomics and epigrenomics and shotgun proteomics with mass spectroscopy, and spatial transcriptiomics via RNA-FISH and emerging In Situ Sequencing approaches,
e) to drive major research programs associated with currently funded and future collaborative research projects, and
f) contribute to and draft new grant applications and secure funding to carry out new research projects.

It is anticipated that the development and implementation of the relevant research program will entail submitting applications for extramural funding independently and in collaboration with other faculty members primarily in the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience, the Genome Center, the Department of Psychiatry and the MIND Institute, as well as other departments and programs in UC Davis. Anticipated sources of funding include the National Institute of Health, foundations, UC Davis internal opportunities as well as other similar research funding initiatives. These extramural projects will involve developing new research protocols, administering protocols, and collecting and analyzing data.

Technically, they will also include the ability to perform advanced protein biochemistry techniques, neuroanatomy, and gene expression analyses, as well as data management and quality assurance. Training and management of staff and UC Davis trainees will also be involved.

This position will also be responsible for training and managing the staff, post and predoctoral trainees and students, as well as overseeing budget allocation and reporting requirements of the above-mentioned research projects, and research projects under any additional new grants they might secure.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

The candidate will continue to participate as a member of professional societies, such as the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the International Society for Autism Research. It is also anticipated that they will present the results of their research at national and international scientific meetings such as SfN, ASHG, MPA and ISDN.

The candidate is expected to serve occasionally as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. They will attend Center for Neuroscience, Genome Center, Mind Institute and department seminars to present research results. They also will participate in joint lab meetings with other faculty labs at the Center for Neuroscience and the Genome Center groups as appropriate (i.e. Fioravante, McAllister, Whistler, Dennis labs).

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

The candidate will engage in university service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service for the Department and the Center for Neuroscience, including outreach to the general public and Sacramento region community. They will also commit to an active role in university service by supervising undergraduate student researchers mostly from Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior Major (NPB) and serving as a member of scholarly selection committees for the College of Biological Sciences.

This recruitment is conducted at the Assistant rank. The selected candidate will be hired at the Assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications

The Department of Psychiatry has approximately 60 residents in six residency training programs and 90 faculty and staff psychiatrists and psychologists. The Department provides a stimulating teaching and academic environment and serves a culturally diverse population.

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. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

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. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, 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: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

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.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.