Assistant Project Scientist of Environmental Toxicology in the Rice Laboratory JPF07137

Position overview

Application Window

Open date: May 22, 2025

Next review date: Friday, Jun 27, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Jul 25, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Environmental Toxicology at the University of California Davis, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is recruiting for a Project Scientist at the Assistant rank to work at the interface of toxicology, cell biology and molecular biology in a high performance computing bioinformatic environment.

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to research or creative projects in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project (e.g., Scientist) titles 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.), he/she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He/she will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.
This position will be filled at the Assistant rank, generally reserved for academics with 1-6 years of experience following the completion of their Doctorate.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
I. RESEARCH (95%)
Research activity (80%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating toxic effects on proteins and in cultures of cells from the integument of humans and sturgeon. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator, design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques, supervise students and other trainees or research staff regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The successful candidate must have experience and knowledge in cell culture, real time PCR, sequence analysis, molecular modeling, high performance computing and herbicide toxicology.
Publication (10%)
The candidate will publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, books and other outlets either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.
Grant Acquisition (5%)
The candidate will assist and/or directly apply 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.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate 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 or poster presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A Doctoral Degree in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pharmacy or related field at the time of application
Experience in high performance computing for large scale bioinformatics workflows 
Expertise in molecular modeling

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

Expertise in real time PCR
Experience with ELISAs
Proficiency in programming languages R and Python
Expertise in human and fish cell culture models
Knowledge of herbicide toxicity
Peer-reviewed publications

Application Requirements

Help contact: dacrum@ucdavis.edu