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Recruitment Period

Open Date: April 29, 2024

Initial Review Date: May 29, 2024- Apply by May 29, 2024 (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.

Final Review Date: December 31, 2024 - Applications will continue to be accepted through this date, but those received after the initial review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Description

The Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire a Junior Specialist in Dr. Zhang’s lab. This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in reproductive, gynecologic, and stem cell and developmental biology.

Major Responsibilities and Designated Areas of Expertise

The Junior Specialist has the general duties of working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) in the planning and execution of research projects. The junior specialist may assist in data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, literature reviews and data analysis for preparation of manuscripts or conference presentations, and writing conference abstracts and manuscripts (e.g., methods and results sections, table, and figure generation) for a particular project.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Elisa Zhang and work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

Successful candidates are expected to participate in three major categories of activities listed below:

1. Research (90% EFFORT)
   The incumbent will collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities investigating stem cells and development, with a focus on the uterus and pregnancy as models of tissue physiology and organogenesis. The overarching goal of the Zhang Lab is to improve the basic science understanding of topics relevant to gynecologic and reproductive health. These topics include embryo implantation and placental development, stem cell-driven regeneration of the uterus during the menstrual/estrous cycle and following injury (e.g. C-section), and systemic physiological changes during and following pregnancy.
   
   Experimental procedures performed by the Junior Specialist will include mouse colony management (incl. tagging and genotyping), tissue sectioning and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, confocal and light sheet imaging and quantitative image analysis, single-cell RNA-seq, as well as 2D cell line and 3D organoid culture (incl. maintaining stocks of lines). Other techniques that may be carried out by the Junior Specialist include spatial transcriptomics, in situ hybridization (RNAScope), PCR and gel electrophoresis, immunoprecipitation, Western blot, and plasmid DNA cloning and purification. The Specialist with work with the PI on experimental design but will be expected to carry out research projects independently with the expectation that their results will lead to publication. As such, the Specialist is required to have the skills needed to lead projects that will produce rigorously acquired, high-quality data. The position also includes contributions to general lab duties.
   
   This position also involves presenting and participating in group meetings, reviewing journal articles, engaging in scholarly discussions of research, critical and creative thinking, and providing mentorship to more junior colleagues. Additionally, the position also requires careful attention to detail, including accurate and reproducible data analysis and faithful documentation of results. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, eager to learn, and adaptable. In addition, the ideal candidate will have strong logistical and time- management skills, be able to prioritize projects, exhibit perseverance and self-improvement through challenges, and be willing to work collaboratively with other team members and with outside laboratories.
2. Professional Competence and Activity (5% EFFORT)
   The Junior Specialist will have the opportunity to attend conferences, participate in departmental and other relevant seminar series, journal clubs, and other pertinent activities.
3. University and Public Service (5% EFFORT)
   The Junior 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, and other activities, as applicable.

This recruitment is conducted at the junior rank. The resulting hire will be at the junior rank regardless of the proposed appointee’s qualifications.

A reasonable estimate for this position is $51,300 at step 1, or $54,600 at step 2.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related discipline). Degree must be awarded before start date.
• Outstanding organizational skills and accurate record keeping capabilities
• Strong interpersonal and decision-making skills
• Strong quantitative skills required for accurate mathematical calculations and for data analysis
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience with laboratory safety and willingness to adhere to EH and S hazardous biological and chemical safety requirements
• A commitment to follow all laboratory standard operating procedures, proactively identify and address issues and/or troubleshoot with other laboratory personnel when necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• >2 years of part- and/or full-time experience in laboratory research
• Experience with 2D mammalian cell culture or 3D organoid culture
• Experience with mammalian tissue processing, e., cryopreservation, sectioning, and imaging
• Experience with rodent handling, including injections
• Ability to perform transcardial perfursions
• Experience with coding in R
• Experience serving as a mentor or teaching assistant to undergraduates

To Apply

To apply, please go to the following link: JPF06457. This position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants should submit:

• 1-page cover letter detailing reasons why the candidate would be a strong fit for this position
• CV
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Contact information for 3 references

Dr. 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 Dr. 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)