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Project Scientist, Cellular Pharmacology / Assay Development - Ctr. for Neurotherapeutics

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Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $68,400-$180,200. See Project Scientist Series Table for the salary range for this position.

Position description

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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

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

Application Requirements

Document requirements
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF08038

About UC Irvine

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 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.

Job location

Irvine, CA