Assistant/Associate Project Scientist

The Project Scientist will be responsible for the overall operational and administrative management of a newly established Behavioral Services Core (BSC) that will provide rodent behavior testing to a broad faculty user base, and potentially outside users, at the UC Davis School of Medicine (SOM). The BSC will be housed in a state-of-the-art research facility and innovation district on the Sacramento Health System campus. The BSC will provide equipment and expertise needed to perform a wide range of rodent behavioral tests to study genetic or environmental risk factor based neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, pain and healing, addiction, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric disorders. Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research Infrastructure, Dr. Melissa Bauman, the Project Scientist will manage the day-to-day activities of the BSC and work in close contact with the faculty users and their laboratory staff. The Project Scientist will be accountable to the BSC Steering Committee, which will be led by Dr. Jill Silverman in her role as Faculty Scientific Advisor. In collaboration with the steering committee and SOM campus leadership, the Project Scientist will contribute to a financial management plan to establish a self-supporting unit, including formulating rate proposals in compliance with federal costing policies, budget forecasting, and personnel management as well as documenting demand for the services

Project Scientists are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency in the field of behavioral neuroscience. Appointees with Project Scientist series 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, etc.), they are not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. The Project Scientist will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Expertise and Scientific Knowledge (60% EFFORT)

Research Activities (50%): The responsibilities of the incumbent would include conducting rodent behavioral experiments, training and supervising core users, validating experimental protocols, setting up equipment for use, coordinating online scheduling, and maintaining strict adherence to Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) protocols. Utilizing specific expertise in behavioral neuroscience, the Project Scientist will consult with principal investigators and their affiliated staff to develop an experimental approach suitable for the research objectives and the capabilities of the specialized equipment. The Project Scientist will ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility of services offered through the BSC and provide training on experimental design, research applications, instrument utilization and data analysis to BSC users as needed. The Project Scientist will coordinate user appointments to ensure maximum utilization of the core's equipment resources.

Manuscript and Grant Writing Support (10%): As a partner in the research projects of a large number of investigators, the Project Scientist may also assist researchers in the preparation of methodology descriptions and figures for publications. The appointee will assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The appointee 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.

Operational and Fiscal (30% EFFORT)

The Project Scientist will be responsible for the administration and operation of this scientific shared resource program. The Project Scientist will be responsible for the fiscal management of the BSC, including: managing and developing internal and external revenue streams, developing new services to increase income opportunities, pursuing philanthropic support for equipment purchases, overseeing supplies and resources utilization, and assisting in writing grants to internal units and extramural agencies to obtain costly new equipment. The Project Scientist will prepare and present annual budget forecasts and usage reports to the SOM Dean's Office.

Professional Competence and Activity (10% EFFORT)

The candidate is expected to participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of behavioral neuroscience instrumentation and applications, and serve as a reviewer of research proposals, and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate may also attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may also coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings and/or educational functions. The appointee will participate in preparing publications in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Doctoral Degree (PhD) or equivalent in a life science or biomedical research related discipline and that demonstrates knowledge of rodent behavior and biology, reproduction, and physiology.

Demonstrated expertise conducting research that uses rodent models.

Five or more years of experience in research design, implementation, and management of complex projects.

Experience managing others and maintaining a positive, collaborative, collegial, and efficient work environment.

Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with a diverse group of people including researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, technical staff, animal care staff, and veterinarians.

Project management skills and the ability to effectively participate in strategic and tactical planning.

Demonstrated organizational and administrative abilities to serve as operational lead for a core service.

Behavioral phenotyping expertise mice and/or rats.

Demonstrated experience with writing and review of IACUC protocols. Knowledge of regulatory compliance issues.

Experience conducting complex data analysis and writing progress reports, scientific manuscripts, and/or grant proposals.

Experience developing service models for diverse clients (academic and industry) including staff and space planning.

Experience and/or business interest in projecting service growth/constriction based on regionally-available services.

Demonstrated experience in organizational management.

Expertise in assay development or ability to learn scientific techniques and explain them to a diverse audience.

A high-level of conducting statistical analysis of data and graphical presentation of data, entering data from experiments and breeding records into a comprehensive database, establishing and maintaining hardware and software for rodent behavioral assays, maintaining the laboratory cleanliness and organization.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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