Address
Salary- Calif Nanosystems Institute / California Nanosystems Institu / UCLA
POSITION OVERVIEW
Position title: Associate Project ScientistAPPLICATION WINDOW
Open date: March 26, 2024
Next review date: Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The BioPolymers, Automated Cellular Infrastructure, Flow, and Integrated Chemistry: Materials Innovation Platform (BioPACIFIC MIP), supported by the National Science Foundation and located in the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will operate a collection of state-of-the-art user facilities dedicated to biomaterials discovery and development. The BioPACIFIC MIP is seeking to fill a Living Biofoundry Project Scientist position to support research efforts at the forefront of synthetic biology and microbial engineering as part of a diverse and dynamic team within the BioPACIFIC MIP at its UCLA site. The successful candidate will support research activities in a world-class resource for high-throughput synthetic biology through the development and application of next-generation methods for production of new bio-derived, functional monomers from living organisms in support of a diverse and vibrant user community.
The Living Biofoundry Project Scientist will spend 50% time, in tandem with the BioPACIFIC MIP in-house research team, on making significant and creative contributions to in-house research, including developing methods for process automation and synthetic biology that further existing projects; developing and carrying out relevant experiments; publishing scientific papers; presenting at technical conferences; and filing IP disclosures. The Living Biofoundry Project Scientist will collaborate with in-house members of the research community to continually build expertise and develop new methods to engineer model microbial systems for production of molecules that are of interest to the BioPACIFIC MIP. Building community expertise will include attending and presenting at a bi-monthly technical research meeting with affiliate researchers to provide consultation on tool usage, experimental design, and data interpretation.
To support the BioPACIFIC MIP mission, the Living Biofoundry Project Scientist will devote 50% time to support facility operations, develop new process protocols to maximize the usage of the instrumentation, train new users, and work with users to design experiments and test hypothesis. Users will consult with the Living Biofoundry Project Scientist as a technical point-of-contact to develop Project Feasibility and Research plans that maximize the likelihood of success. The candidate will participate in an regular events that will highlight the facilities and research capabilities to promote use by internal and external users.
The Living Biofoundry Project Scientist will interface directly with and report to the Technical Director of the Living Biofoundry and will successfully carry out experiments and analyze the data generated with minimal supervision. The Project Scientist position is a fully-supported, 12-month position.
- Design automation workflow that fits BioPACIFIC users’ needs in microbial engineering
- Maintain and operate automation equipment. Work with suppliers for repairs and updates.
- Train BioPACIFIC users from collaborating laboratories
- Coordinate user requests and services
- Develop and administrate chemical and biosafety protocols
- Participate in events that highlight facilities and research capabilities to promote use by internal and external users
- Design and develop software and methods that can be suitable for different users of the system.
- Design experiments to perform large scale, high throughput, automated synthetic biology workflows to support internal, external and development projects.
- Design and validate experiments for microbial growth, metabolite/protein extraction and detection.
- Serve as a liaison between BioPACIFIC users, faculty, committee members, administration and other external institutions/companies
- Cultivate an inclusive, collegial environment with strong inter-personal communication skills
- Work on multiple projects efficiently and effectively
- Participate in lab ordering and management of incoming and outgoing shipments
- Work independently on scientific projects and develop scientific ideas
- Assist with preparation of grant proposals
- Prepare operational reports for use in periodic reviews by the NSF
- Prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals
- Complete all appropriate safety training as mandated by UCLA Environmental Health & Safety
BioPACIFIC is especially interested in candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to diversity and experience working with students from a diverse background in addition to a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for disadvantaged students.
Interested candidates should apply online by April 30th, 2024 on this site:
Start date: June 1st, 2024, or as soon as mutually agreeable.
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates with Ph.D (or equivalent) in Engineering, Chemistry or related fields.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our EDI Statement FAQ document.
Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
Misc / Additional (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Reference may be contacted to verify experience
Help contact: roxanne@cnsi.ucla.edu
ABOUT UCLA
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/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: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.
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