Recruit

We are seeking a PhD-level or equivalent degree cell biologist with excellent experience in cell line engineering and assay development within the UCI Institute for Neurotherapeutics (UCI-INT).
In this laboratory-based position, the successful candidate will work within the UCI-INT cellular assay development group. Efforts of the successful applicant are expected to expand as with members of our broader screening and informatics teams enable full end-to-end chemical/high-throughput screening. The ideal candidate will review incoming targets, design and build appropriate high-throughput screening and DEL-compatible cell lines for screening, conduct compound validation studies, and manage all necessary bioinformatics resources. The position will also require coordination with the new bioanalysis facility (SPPS).
The main goals of the UCI-INT are to: 1) foster meaningful interactions between neuroscience / neurological disease researchers and UCI faculty who aim to expedite translational research, and 2) to bring together neuroscience / neurological disease researchers with UCI clinical colleagues, whose academic and patient care interests align with ongoing research efforts at the bench to accelerate translation to the bedside.

Responsibilities of the Project Scientist include:
• Maintaining a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting
• Working with autonomy to design experiments, interpret data, and propose next steps
• Bringing up and maintaining complex, diverse primary and immortal cell lines + design/engineering of reporter cell lines
• Qualifying cellular assays for both conventional microplate-based molecular screening and advanced 3D tissue culture-based screening applications
• Interfacing with the UCI DMPK/bioanalysis resources to build relevant cellular models of blood-brain barrier penetration suitable for low- and high-throughput screening
• Coordinating low-throughput hit expansion library validation studies in either primary screening lines or construction of orthogonal validation reporter lines
• Interfacing with UCI medicinal chemistry resources and consulting on issues specifically related to cellular structure-function analyses (cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, permeability / bioavailability)
• Working on novel, testable hypotheses to enable clear decision making.
• Contributing to scientific strategies and goals within a team setting.
• Presenting data and reports on project status at individual and group meetings.
• Generating data for and serving as co-author on research published in peer reviewed journals and presenting work at scientific conferences
• Training junior scientists to perform subsets of the above tasks

Qualifications
• A Ph.D. or equivalent degree is required in cell biology, neurobiology/neuroscience, chemical biology/biochemistry, biological/biochemical engineering, or related subject area

Preferred Qualifications
• A strong track record of achievement in cell biology or neuroscience through peer-reviewed publications, patents, and presentations
• Deep knowledge of cell biology, with specific expertise in cell line engineering for molecular screening / mechanistic studies and associated analytical techniques (confocal fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry / FACs, gene/protein expression profiling)
• Intellectual curiosity to improve established methods and explore new laboratory workflows is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of presentations is required.

To apply via AP Recruit, please go here: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF08038 to upload Cover letter, CV, Statement of Research, and Inclusive Excellence/Contributions to Diversity Statement.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being up-to-date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.