This recruitment is to hire up to two junior specialists.

The MIND Institute and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist for the Silverman Lab.

This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in behavioral and translational neuroscience. Successful candidates will also participate in career building opportunities.

The incumbent for this position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in behavioral and translational neuroscience using rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work with preclinical models of rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. The incumbent will provide technical support and will actively participate in the research for grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), not-for profit foundations and industry endeavors with collaborative research. The incumbent will contribute to maintaining efficient laboratory workflows, in a large genetic model colony, presenting data to small and bigger groups, grant writing, and manuscript preparation.

General responsibilities include:

• Breeding of genetically modified mice and basic rodent husbandry.
• Collecting tissue from genetic mouse and rat models.
• Collect in vivo behavioral outcome measures in mouse and rat models.
• Genotyping subjects with a high level of knowledge of DNA extraction and PCR procedures as well as troubleshooting.
• Basic Genetics understanding: DNA, RNA, Protein and Medilian Genetics
• Analyzing behavioral and biological data.
• score behavioral videos and observe seizure events for extended period.
• Harvest and preserve rodent brain tissue.
• Data management, processing, and statistical analysis of experimental data.
• Writing experimental methods, data graphics, and statistical software.
• Flexibility with time and research project focus areas.

Laboratory Oversight

• Work with PI to track grant budgets.
• Take regular inventory of supplies, prepare orders, and keep track of purchases.
• Keep administration paperwork for laboratory safety and animal care and use records.
• Prepare for laboratory inspections and liaison with inspectors.

• Participate in lab meetings by sharing and discussing data and journal articles.
• Preparation of data as figures for grant applications and for publication.
• Review of research proposals, journal manuscripts, and other publications.
• Present research at local and/or international scientific conferences (at the discretion of the PI).
• Disseminate findings via publications.

• Liaison with funding agencies and other external groups on issues related to area of expertise.

• Bachelor's degree in a biological science or related field.
• Understanding of general laboratory procedures including sterile techniques, preparation of analytical reagents, small animal work, keeping a detailed notebook, and organized files for protocols and data, and use of analytical laboratory equipment.
• Ability to independently and proactively research information that will allow for forward progress and problem solve in the laboratory.
• Familiarity with PubMed and/or google scholar. The applicant should be confident in reading scientific research papers for methods and results.
• Demonstrated skills in rodent husbandry and excellent rodent handling skills.
  
• Significant experience in colony management, tissue collection, genotyping, PCR, and rodent behavioral testing.
• Ability to travel and perform experiments within laboratories in Sacramento and Davis.
• Extended hours of in vivo data collection.
• Computer skills using word processing and Microsoft suite.
• Superior attention to detail and diligent recordkeeping.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, organization and preparation, ability to work in a demanding environment are essential.
• The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Work successfully among a fast paced, self-driven, interdisciplinary team that work well as a group and independently (both are required).

• Background in neuroscience/genetics/biological-life sciences (e.g., preparing and diluting analytical reagents, use of analytical laboratory equipment, sterile technique, understanding of what offspring are the result of pairings).
• Proficiency with statistical and graphing software (GraphPad Prism).
• Pharmacological injection skills (e.g., intraperitoneal, tail vein, subcutaneous).
• Stereotaxic surgery and/or aseptic techniques
• Experience collecting, fixing, and sectioning rodent tissue.
• Experience with Western blots and RT-PCR.
• Knowledge of neuronal culture

• 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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

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

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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

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