Assistant Project Scientist - Heyer lab

Two Assistant Project Scientist positions are available in Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Heyer's laboratory in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG) in the College of Biological Sciences.

Position description

NATURE AND PURPOSE

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 (e.g., Scientist) titles 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, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, etc), he/she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He/she will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so as an exception.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90%)

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 microbiology, molecular genetics, DNA replication and DNA repair. The candidate will help determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He or she will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. The candidate may support other laboratory members regarding the technical aspects, including methods development, trouble-shooting, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The candidate is responsible for planning and performing scientific experiments, analyzing data, and preparing papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Specifically, the candidate for position 1 will study the role of RAD51 paralogs in homologous recombination, using genetic, biochemical, and biophysical methods. Specifically, the candidate for position 2 will conduct experiments in yeast and genomic analysis of human tumors to study the role of mismatch repair in quality control of homologous recombination. These studies will contribute to understanding the underlying molecular mechanism that prevents genomic rearrangements and cancer development in humans.

Publication (5%)

The candidate will publish research in peer-reviewed journals in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (5%)

The candidate will assist in acquiring proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The candidate will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies. The candidate will interact with funding agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of Microbiology and Molecular 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, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

III. SERVICE (5%)

Training and mentoring (5%)

The candidate will supervise students, technicians, or visitor in specific projects coordinated with the Principal Investigator regarding the definition and execution of projects together with technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments.

University and Public Service (0%)

This category is encouraged but not required. The candidate will engage at their own discretion in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies. The candidate will engage at their own discretion in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.

Lab: https://heyerlab.ucdavis.edu

Department: https://mmg.ucdavis.edu/

Lab: https://heyerlab.ucdavis.edu/

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular-cell biology, or related fields
• More than 5 years of research experience post-PhD
• The ability to work independently at a high level of competence on complex projects, as evidenced by leading projects resulting in peer-reviewed publications
• Skills and a track record of trouble shooting and optimizing lab protocols.
• Experience in yeast genetics and molecular genetics
• Experience working with radioisotopes and following all relevant laboratory safety regulations and guidelines
• Experience with standard laboratory techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry
• Skills for accurate, complete, and neat record keeping and familiarity with principles of open data and reproducibility.

• Research or university-level coursework in DNA repair
• Advanced experience in protein purification using multiple expression systems.
• Advanced experience in structural modeling.
• Advanced experience with protein biochemical assays
• Familiarity with developing and obtaining approval from IRB for collecting patient material.
• Familiarity with interacting with a clinical environment to obtain patient records, identify, recruit and consent patients, and obtain patient materials for research
• Familiarity with long-read whole genome sequencing

• 2 required (contact information only)

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "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 or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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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 for federal law.

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