Junior Specialist: Cardiovascular Physiology - Santana Lab

The Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire a Junior Specialist(40% effort) in Dr. Santana's lab. This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in cardiovascular physiology.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The Junior Specialist has the general duties of working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) in supporting multiple research projects. The junior specialist may assist in data collection, quality control, study design and implementation, cell culture, management of animal colony, genotyping, for a particular project.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. L. Fernando Santana 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 cardiac and smooth muscle. The overarching goal of the Santana Lab is to improve the basic science understanding of topics relevant to cardiovascular health and disease. These topics include pacemaking, vascular support of cardiac function, regulation of ventricular contraction, bioenergetics, and systemic physiological changes during hypertension and heart failure.

Experimental procedures performed by the Junior Specialist will include mouse colony management (incl. tagging and genotyping), tissue sectioning and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, confocal imaging and quantitative image analysis, single-cell RNA-seq, as well as 2D cell line and 3D organoid culture (incl. maintaining stocks of lines), cell culture. 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. A key role for the Junior Specialist is to process animal and reagents orders as well as general lab duties.

This position requires careful attention to detail. 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.

* 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&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

* >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, i.e., cryopreservation, sectioning, and imaging

* Experience with rodent handling, including injections

* Ability to perform transcardial perfusions

* Experience with coding in R

* Experience serving as a mentor or teaching assistant to undergraduates

• 3-5 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

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

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.

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 creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in 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.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

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 University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.