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Behavioral Optogenetics Specialist

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Position description

University of California, San Francisco
Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases

We are seeking a junior specialist in the field of neuroscience. The position is available to study neural circuits underlying emotional behaviors relevant to psychiatric disease, in particular anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The successful candidate will be responsible for laboratory management, including mouse colony maintenance, genotyping, and immunohistochemistry, and will also be responsible for performing in vivo optogenetic experiments, including stereotaxic surgery and behavioral assays. We would like to hire a highly motivated individual who is capable of independent problem solving but must also work well as part of a team. This position will be part of a collaborative environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities in the Sandler Neurosciences Building on the UCSF Mission Bay campus. Candidates interested in gaining more experience prior to applying to graduate school, or those looking for a longer-term appointment as lab manager are encouraged to apply. While we are ideally seeing a junior specialist, the Assistant, Associate, or Full rank may be considered for qualified candidates. The successful candidate will be appointed at a rank commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required qualifications:
• BA/BS in Neuroscience or related field.
• At least 1-2 years relevant lab experience.
• Rodent handling experience.
• Familiarity with common laboratory techniques (cloning, PCR) and principles of molecular biology.
• Proficiency in immunohistochemistry (brain collection, slicing, and staining).
• One-year time commitment, with possibility of extension.

Preferred qualifications:
• Computer programming skills for data analysis (e.g. MATLAB, Python).
• Experience with electrophysiology.
• Experience with mouse behavior.
• Experience with stereotaxic surgery.

Appointees in the Specialist series will be expected to engage in specialized research, professional activities and do not have teaching responsibilities. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions, and may participate in University and Public Service. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/apply/JPF01093

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - Cover letter should include 1-2 paragraphs describing applicant's research experience and long-term goals.

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Job location

San Francisco, CA