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Apply now: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05702/apply
View this position online: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05702

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: May 17, 2023
Next review date: Wednesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023 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 Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project 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, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, 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.

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% EFFORT)

Research activity (70%) This position requires creative contributions and collaborative development of an active research program examining brainwide mechanisms of decisionmaking. The primary goal of the research project is to develop and construct neural circuit/mechanistic models that help explain neural activity measured across multiple brain regions (neocortex, hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, thalamus) using electrophysiological and optical imaging techniques while animals perform a task involving navigating down a virtual corridor while accumulating (integrating in the sense of calculus) visual evidence for choosing between two alternatives. The candidate will use advanced methods, including those from deep network training, to train models that include region-specific anatomical data, mesoscale connectomic data from the Allen Brain Atlas, behavioral data, and neural recording data during behavior. The candidate will simulate the models and will analyze them using analytical methods. Expertise with the literature on multi-region models of working memory function is required. The candidate is also required to devise new algorithms and computational frameworks for modeling the multi-region electrophysiological and optical neural recordings from our experimental collaborators. Publication (10%) The candidate will present research results in conferences and publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, books, and other outlets either independently or in collaboration with the PIs or other members of the research team. Grant Acquisition (10%) The candidate will assist in acquiring proposals 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. The candidate will interact with funding agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components, as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% EFFORT)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field of neuroscience and may 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 presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0% EFFORT)

The candidate is not expected to engage in public service and/or teaching classroom courses.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Candidates must possess a PhD, have a research focus on computational neuroscience, and have 5 or more years of postdoctoral experience in computational modeling of neural circuits, Python, C++, or Julia programming and analytical calculations. Additional requirements include previous experience using deep learning methods to fit large-scale, cellular resolution brain network models to behavioral, anatomical, and neural data; and broad knowledge of the experimental and computational neuroscience literature across many brain regions including neocortex, thalamus, and cerebellum.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research 

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05702/apply
Help contact: kmismith@ucdavis.edu

CAMPUS INFORMATION

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Communityand are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Updated Interim Amendments.  All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachmentfor applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment.(Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.