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Department of Environmental and Occupational Health

Assistant/Associate/Full Project Scientist – Environmental Neurotoxicology – Masashi Kitazawa, Ph.D. Laboratory

UC Irvine is one of ten campuses of the highly regarded University of California system. With approximately 37,000 students, 1,500 ladder-rank faculty members, a highly ranked medical school, and over $500 million per year of extramural grant funding, our campus offers a wealth of opportunities for research collaboration and is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the US. UC Irvine is building on excellence in its Program in Public Health to develop a School of Public and Population Health. Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health since October 2012, our rapidly growing Program in Public Health offers BA, BS, MPH, and PhD degrees in a variety of emphasis areas including environmental health sciences and was recently ranked among the top 40 schools and programs in public health in the country by U.S. News and World Report. More information is available on our web site at http://publichealth.uci.edu/.

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a full-time post-doctoral researcher position in environmental neurotoxicology. UCI is one of the top-ranked research universities located in Southern California, United States. Dr. Masashi Kitazawa laboratory focuses on understanding the pathogenic role of genetic and environmental interactions in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with particular interest in the impact of neuroinflammation elicited by aging and genetic predispositions, as well as by environmental risk factors, such as exposure to air pollution and toxic metals. Through understanding the key neurodegenerative mechanisms by the gene x environmental interactions, the lab also makes effort on developing better animal models and evaluating potential therapeutic strategies using these animals. Techniques including rodent behavior tests, immunoblots, immunohistochemistry, various biochemical assays, and cell culture-based assays are routinely performed in the lab. More details about Dr. Kitazawa’s work can be found at https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=6223

The selected applicant will work on multiple funded studies through National Institutes of Health, widely ranging from a study to determine the neurotoxic mechanisms of air pollution to a study to evaluate pre-clinical efficacy of the gut microbiome-mediated drug delivery to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The research will utilize inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), various in vitro assays, such as cell viability assay, cytokine assays, ELISA and immunocytochemistry, and in vivo testing and exposure using animal models of AD. The post-doctoral researcher will work under the supervision of Dr. Masashi Kitazawa.

Duties will include: 1) work closely with Dr. Kitazawa and other team members to establish iPSC maintenance, differentiation and optimization to neurons; 2) involve in animal breeding, behavior testing, exposure and drug treatment regimens, 3) publish original research in high impact peer-reviewed journals; 4) present relevant work at various scientific meetings; and 5) support the writing of progress and final report.

Requirements include:
• Doctoral degree in neuroscience, toxicology, pharmacology, biology, chemistry or relevant field.
• At least 3 years of post-doctoral training/experience.
• Prior experience in animal models and/or iPSC are highly encouraged.
• Excellent data analysis skills and familiarity in statistical analysis software.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English.
• Ability to work independently with occasional supervision.
• Demonstrated publication record in neuroscience, toxicology or pharmacology.
• Ability to take initiative, creativity, attention to details and commitment to producing high quality work.

Funding is available for a minimum of 3 years.
Salary will be based on qualifications and experience.
Start date: Available immediately or negotiable.

Please apply at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF08125

1) A cover letter that includes a description of current research, future plans for research and professional goals
2) A curriculum vitae
3) 2-3 samples of scholarly writing (published, under review or in preparation)
4) Name 3 individuals to request a letter of reference.
The salary range for this position is $68,400-$180,200, based on final rank and step. See Table https://bpb-us-e2.wpmucdn.com/sites.uci.edu/dist/1/1819/files/2023/02/projSci-v2.pdf

Please send any questions regarding this search to Dr. Kitazawa (kitazawa@uci.edu).

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.

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.