6 Positions - Assistant, Associate, Full Professional Researcher

NATURE AND PURPOSE:

The California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC), one of seven NIH supported National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) in the United States, invites applications for Assistant, Associate, or Full Professional Researchers (potentially fill 6 positions). The Professional Researcher title is the University equivalent of Professor of Research. Like professorial titles, it has a ladder (Assistant to Associate to Full). Unlike other professorial titles, it has no required teaching associated with it.

The CNPRC advances translational and comparative biomedical research through the responsible use of nonhuman primate models and related activities. The CNPRC maintains a colony of approximately 5,000 rhesus macaques and the only laboratory colony of titi monkeys in the world, supporting a collaborative community of Core Scientists and numerous affiliate and visiting investigators, as well as scientific core services.

The CNPRC is part of the University of California, Davis animal care program, and a globally recognized research institution and home to the nation's top ranked School of Veterinary Medicine, a leading School of Medicine, and Colleges of Engineering and Biological Sciences. UC Davis is internationally recognized for excellence in our animal care program, biological sciences, and translational research. Campus partners and resources include the UC Davis Genome Center, Clinical and Translational Science Center, MIND Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Center for Molecular and Genomic Imaging to name a few, each providing extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research.

The area of research focus is open. Successful candidates will establish a rigorous, externally funded, independent research program that leverages nonhuman primate models and integrates complementary in vitro, in silico, and other New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), to enhance translational impact, mechanistic insight, and scientific rigor. Research programs that advance the CNPRC mission as a national biomedical research resource while incorporating innovative methodological approaches are particularly encouraged.

The Professional Researcher will develop and leads an independent, creative, and high-quality research program equivalent to that required in the Professor series. The appointee assumes major responsibility and leadership for the program and is expected to secure extramural funding as a Principal Investigator, or as a co-Principal Investigator within a larger center or collaborative grant when the research activities constitute an independent program. Appointees do not have formal teaching responsibilities.

The appointee will serve as a Core Scientist of the CNPRC. Core Scientists are integral members of the intellectual infrastructure of the program and provide scientific expertise regarding the use of nonhuman primates in biomedical research and translational applications. In this role, the Professional Researcher contributes to the scientific direction, collaborative environment, and national resource mission of the CNPRC.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH (85%)

The Professional Researcher is required to develop and sustain an independent research program aligned with the CNPRC mission and NIH NPRC priorities. The appointee will design and conduct innovative studies utilizing nonhuman primate models and will integrate their research with in vitro systems such as organoids, advanced cellular models/organs-on-a-chip, and multi-omics platforms, in silico approaches such as computational biology, bioinformatics, modeling, and AI driven analytics, and other NAMs that complement in vivo primate research and enhance translational and mechanistic insight. The appointee will advance comparative, mechanistic, or disease focused research relevant to human and animal health, publish findings in peer reviewed journals as first, senior, or corresponding author, and establish and maintain a nationally recognized research program.

The Professional Researcher will develop and submit competitive grant applications as Principal Investigator and maintain sustained extramural funding to support research personnel and infrastructure. The appointee may contribute to large programmatic or center grants consistent with maintaining an independent research focus.

As a Core Scientist within the CNPRC, the Professional Researcher will provide scientific expertise regarding the use of nonhuman primates in research conducted by Core, Affiliate, and Visiting Scientists, and will collaborate across Scientific and Core Service Units to enhance the effectiveness of the CNPRC as a national research resource. The appointee will devote a minimum of 10 percent of total professional effort to activities that directly support the scientific programs and operations of the CNPRC and will ensure that at least 50 percent of research effort is devoted to nonhuman primate-related research. The Professional Researcher will contribute to the enhancement of rigor and reproducibility by assisting investigators with experimental design, methodology, data analysis, and standardized reporting practices, and will participate in activities that develop and sustain national resources for consultative expertise, biologic and genetic materials, specialized facilities, and methodological innovation supporting nonhuman primate research.

The Professional Researcher will manage research budgets according to sound fiscal and management principles, supervise research personnel including staff scientists, postdoctoral scholars, undergraduate and graduate students, and technical staff, ensure compliance with campus regulatory committees such as the IACUC and biosafety, as well as related NIH and institutional requirements, including submitting required progress reports in a timely manner and maintain regulatory compliance at all times.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

The Professional Researcher will maintain professional visibility and contribute to the advancement of their scientific discipline by participating in appropriate scientific societies, serving as a reviewer for scientific journals and funding agencies, presenting research findings at seminars, workshops, and national and international scientific meetings, and engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations within CNPRC and across UC Davis.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10%)

Service expectations increase across ranks. University and public service is required at the Associate rank and expected at the Assistant rank consistent with experience. The Professional Researcher may serve on CNPRC, departmental, campus, or systemwide committees, participate in CNPRC governance activities as appropriate, provide guest lectures or seminars, and engage in public outreach and community engagement activities that communicate the value of biomedical research and the responsible use of animal models in advancing human health.

CRITERIA FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND ADVANCEMENT

Evaluation for appointment and advancement will be based on independence, originality, and impact of the research program, quality and sustained productivity of peer reviewed publications, success in obtaining and maintaining extramural funding, contributions to the mission of the CNPRC as a Core Scientist, national or international recognition in the relevant scientific field, and effective mentorship, research leadership, and service contributions appropriate to rank.

START UP AND FUNDING SUPPORT

The CNPRC will provide salary support for the first three years of appointment for applicants to facilitate establishment of an independent, externally funded research program. This initial period of guaranteed support is intended to allow the appointee to develop competitive grant proposals, establish research infrastructure, and build collaborative programs within the CNPRC and across UC Davis.

Continued institutional support is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the successful development of sustained extramural funding consistent with the expectations of the Professional Research series and the Core Scientist role within the CNPRC. In alignment with NPRC guidelines, Core Scientists will receive 10 percent salary support from the P51 base grant to support activities that directly contribute to the scientific programs and national resource mission of the CNPRC.

Start-up resources, laboratory space, and access to CNPRC core services and animal resources will be provided in alignment with Center priorities. The CNPRC will work with the appointee to foster collaborative relationships with relevant academic departments and programs across UC Davis. Where appropriate and consistent with campus policies, opportunities for joint or affiliate appointments may be pursued to strengthen integration with home departments across the U|C Davis Schools and Colleges and support long term academic advancement.

• Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline, including but not limited to biology, biomedical sciences, neuroscience, immunology, genetics/genomics, bioengineering, veterinary medicine, computational biology, or related fields.
• Demonstrated record of original research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.
• Evidence of potential to develop an independent, externally funded research program.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation within a relevant scientific domain.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Postdoctoral research experience or equivalent advanced research training.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or significantly contribute to complex research projects.
• Evidence of grant writing experience and/or participation in the development of extramural funding proposals.
• Experience with, or clear capacity to incorporate, advanced methodological approaches such as:
  o in vitro systems (e.g., organoids, stem cell models, organs-on-chip),
  o in silico approaches (e.g., bioinformatics, computational modeling, AI/ML),
  o multi-omics or systems biology approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to work with or strong commitment to learning best practices in the ethical and responsible use of animal models in biomedical research.
• Experience mentoring or supervising students, postdoctoral scholars, or research staff.

• Established record of securing extramural funding as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator (expected for Associate/Full rank).
• Strong publication record with evidence of scientific impact, including first- or senior-author publications in high-quality journals.
• Experience conducting or collaborating on research involving nonhuman primate models or other complex in vivo systems.
• Demonstrated success in integrating multiple research modalities (e.g., in vivo, in vitro, and computational approaches) to address translational or mechanistic questions.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as medicine, engineering, data science, or veterinary sciences.
• Experience contributing to large collaborative or center-based research programs.
• Demonstrated leadership in research program development, including supervision of diverse research teams and management of research budgets.
• Evidence of national or international recognition in a relevant field (particularly for Associate and Full ranks).
• Experience engaging in activities that promote rigor, reproducibility, and open science practices.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment and mentoring trainees from diverse backgrounds.

• 4-6 required (contact information only)

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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