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Positions at UCSF to work on Cell Therapies for Brain Cancers, Neuroinflammation, and Neurodegeneration

We are seeking outstanding and motivated senior scientists, postdoctoral fellows, or clinical fellows to work on a project aimed at using cutting-edge synthetic biology approaches to develop smart cell therapies for diseases of the brain, including: a) brain cancers (primary and metastases), b) neuroinflammation, and c) neurodegeneration.

Applicants should have extensive experience in synthetic biology and cell engineering and/or extensive experience working with in vitro and in vivo models of disease neurobiology (brain tumors, neuroinflammation, or neurodegeneration. This position would be part of the UCSF Cell Design Institute, in a collaboration with the Weil Institute for Neuroscience and the UCSF Cancer Center. The UCSF Cell Design Institute is developing fundamental tools for programming cellular behavior and function and applying these to new cell therapies for complex diseases. We currently have a pipeline of several therapies, including a phase I trial for glioblastoma.

We have a particular interest in recruiting scientists to push forward cell therapies to treat neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Required qualifications:

• Associate rank: Master’s degree in Neurobiology, Immunology, Oncology, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or related field, or five to ten years of research experience.
• Full rank: PhD in Neurobiology, Immunology, Oncology, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or related field, or ten or more years of research experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of tissue culture and experimental work using mammalian cells is required.
• Experience with flow cytometry and cell sorting is required.
• Knowledgeable with modern techniques of molecular cloning.
• Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment. - - - Candidate’s CV must state qualifications (or if pending) upon submission.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with human cell engineering, such as CAR-T cell engineering
• Experience in Synthetic Biology, specifically in the design of transcriptional circuits and/or protein engineering, is preferred .
• Experience using viral (lentiviral, retroviral or AAV) and/or non-viral gene delivery methods (e.g., CRISPR mediated knock-in or targeted genome integration) highly preferred.
• Prior research experience brain cancer (glioma, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, brain-specific metastasis), neuroinflammation-related disorders (e.g. MS) and/or neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc.) highly preferred.

General job responsibilities

• Lead one or more research projects, designing and conducting experiments at the bench.
• Oversee and mentor both the research work and development of 1-2 technicians, students and other trainees.
• Interface and work with collaborators within the Lim lab, CDI, UCSF and outside institutions.
• Maintain meticulous records of experimental work and scientific findings.
• Present results at meetings and conferences, contribute to writing papers, reports and preparing applications for funding and regulatory agencies.
• Participate in the development of novel cell engineering resources, including novel techniques for mammalian cell genetic engineering as well as establishment of a platform for rapid engineering of novel proteins and circuits with useful functions.
• Participate in training, teaching, outreach and other engagement initiatives promoted by CDI.
• Maintain required safety training and other mandatory courses at UCSF.

Recent news about our research can be reviewed at these links:

• https://arpa-h.gov/news-and-events/arpa-h-funds-project-develop-treatments-neurodegenerativediseaseshttps://
• www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/04/427336/ucsf-scientists-build-molecular-gps-guidecelltherapieshttps://
• www.celldesigninstitute.orghttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl4237
• https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.adl4793
• https://arpa-h.gov/news-and-events/arpa-h-funds-project-develop-treatments-neurodegenerativediseases
• https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/04/427336/ucsf-scientists-build-molecular-gps-guide-celltherapies

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF05669, with a CV, cover letter, and three references.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $75,600-$194,800.

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment