Assistant Project Scientist - Ripplinger 2025

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology invites applications for 1 full-time academic position in the Assistant Project Scientist series.

We seek a highly motivated and skilled project scientist to help lead studies on the role of adrenergic signaling in heart failure progression and arrhythmogenesis. Investigations will be carried out at the molecular/cellular, whole organ, and in vivo levels. The successful candidate will be a member of our dynamic, interactive research team and will engage in scholarly discussions with colleagues on new ideas and concepts. The candidate will also be expected to develop independent lines of research broadly related to cardiac arrhythmias and generate data that will be essential for informing and validating computational models of cardiac electrophysiology.

The duties and responsibilities of this position include: performing skilled in vivo and ex vivo experimental procedures, collecting and analyzing electrophysiological data, preparing respective figures for scientific publications, presentations and grant applications, submitting independent grant applications relevant to the candidate's research, and maintaining the highest regulatory and safety standards within the laboratory environment.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Crystal Ripplinger and the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. RESEARCH (80%)
   This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating the role of adrenergic signaling in animal models of heart failure. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He/she will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the candidate may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, troubleshooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The candidate may also be expected to occasionally work on projects with collaborators, both inside and outside UC Davis.

The candidate will be expected to develop new ideas about how sex hormones impact heart failure remodeling. The candidate will further be expected to publish results and assist the Principal Investigator in supervising and training graduate and undergraduate students.

Publication

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

Grant Acquisition

The candidate will assist in writing 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 and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed. In consultation with the PI, the candidate will develop and submit independent grant applications relevant to the candidate's career stage and research program.

Safety and Regulatory Expectations

The candidate is expected to maintain the highest regulatory and safety standards within the laboratory environment, including strict adherence to animal protocols, laboratory safety regulations, and maintaining detailed documentation of compliance where appropriate.

1. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)
   
   The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences relevant to his/her specific field 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. The candidate may serve on national or international grant review panels as appropriate.

2. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10%)
   
   The candidate will engage 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 in university service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position. However, the candidate is expected to supervise graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory.
   
   For the full position description and to apply, visit:
   
   https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07330.

* PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, Physiology or related field.

* At least 10 years of relevant research experience (i.e., optical mapping of transmembrane potential and intracellular calcium in intact tissues, electrophysiological data analysis, and experience with in vivo animal models of cardiovascular disease, as supported by recent publications).

* Expertise in designing and planning of research projects.

* Experience in writing research papers and grant applications.

* Skill in analyzing and evaluating data.

* Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

* Ability to work both independently and as a team player.

• 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

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