Assistant Project Scientist – Systems Neuroscience – Molecular and Cellular Biology

Berkeley, California                 ·                Full time

Assistant Project Scientist – Systems Neuroscience – Molecular and Cellular Biology

Job #: JPF04249

Molecular & Cell Biology / College of Letters & Science – Biological Sciences / UC Berkeley

Position Overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/july-2023-acad-salary-scales/t37-b.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $75,300-$86,900.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Early 2024.

Position duration: 6 months for a limited-term project.

Application Window

Open date: January 14, 2024

Most recent review date: Monday, Jan 29, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024 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 Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for an Assistant Project Scientist in the Adesnik Lab, in the area of systems neuroscience.

The Adesnik laboratory aims to reveal the neural basis of perception. More specifically, we want to understand exactly how cortical microcircuits process sensory information to drive behavior. While decades of research have carefully outlined how individual neurons extract specific features from the sensory environment, the synaptic, circuit, and brain-wide mechanisms that permit ensembles of cortical neurons to actually process sensory information and generate perceptions are largely unknown.

The incumbent in this position will leverage all-optical physiology to map synaptic connectivity in the brains of living mice combining two photon holographic optogenetics with 2p imaging of spine targeted calcium sensors.

The Assistant Project Scientist will finalize an approach for all-optical synaptic connectivity mapping combining two photon holographic optogenetics with two photon spine calcium imaging. They will perform a final series of experiments photo-activating layer 4 excitatory neurons in intact mice while imaging postsynaptic responses in Layer 2/3 pyramidal neuron spines.
In addition, the position will prepare mice for the experiment, including in utero electroporation, viral injection, cranial window implant. They will manage all the instrumentation code and hardware and execute the experiments. They will analyze all the resulting data identifying synaptic connections and perform appropriate statistical tests. They will assemble data into publication quality figures and into a manuscript for publication.

Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/contract.html

Lab: https://adesnik.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent international degree)

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in Biological Science or related field
• 3-4 years of research experience post-PhD
• Extensive experience with in utero electroporation, two photon imaging, two photon holographic optogenetics, spine calcium imaging, volumetric imaging reconstruction, and two-photon all-optical connectivity mapping
• Ability to run literature searches to further advance current studies
• Ability to write journal articles that will be published through peer reviewed journals
• Highly motivated and organized
• Ability to be able to work and collaborate with other members of the Adesnik lab and outside labs
• Ability to work independently and present work at lab meetings

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04249

Help contact: hadesnik@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley 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. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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: Berkeley, CA

Please click here to apply.