Assistant Project Scientist in the Wong Lab Full-time

Assistant Project Scientist in the Wong Lab

Position overview:

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist

Salary range: See Table 37B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $76,700 – $85,000/year.

Position description:

The Wong Lab located at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is seeking a highly motivated Assistant Project Scientist with expertise in bacterial biofilm microbiology, the innate immune system, supramolecular complexes, and synchrotron x-ray diffraction. UCLA is ranked among the finest research-intensive universities in the world. The Wong Lab is interested in multidisciplinary approaches to solving problems in biology and biomedicine, combining physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. To solve these problems, the Wong Lab uses a broad range of tools, including synchrotron x-ray scattering and spectroscopy, quantitative optical microscopy, cell tracking, microfluidic systems, artificial intelligence methods, x-ray and electron microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Our current interests are in bacterial biofilms, microbial surface sensing, aspects of innate immunity and autoimmunity in human health and disease. More information can be found at the Wong Lab website.

The Assistant Project Scientist will be part of a dynamic team that collaborates with experts from diverse research fields such as microbiology, immunology, molecular, cell and developmental biology, neuroscience. The successful candidate will perform independent research under the supervision of Prof. Gerard Wong (PI). working on research projects including but not limited to surface sensing by microbes, bacterial biofilm development, method development on cell tracking algorithms, image processing, immunology, small angle x-ray scattering. Implementation of AI methods. The candidate will spend a significant portion of time on the development of grant proposals.

The Assistant Project Scientist will also be responsible for training and supervising junior members in the laboratory, coordinating inter-laboratory collaboration projects and participating on inter-institutional collaborative research. The Assistant Project Scientist position is a 12-month non-senate position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Candidate should have demonstrated expertise in bacterial biofilm microbiology, automation of microscopy, cell tracking algorithms, image processing, implementation of AI in quantitative biology, structural methods including synchrotron small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS).
• Develop, maintain and disseminate updated versions of policies and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee graduate students, undergraduates, and other trainees in the lab.
• Cultivate an inclusive, collegial environment with strong inter-personal communication skills.
• Work on multiple projects efficiently and effectively.
• Work independently on scientific projects and develop scientific ideas.
• Assist with preparation of grant proposals.
• Prepare operational reports for use in periodic reviews by internal and external review.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals in a timely manner.
• Complete all appropriate safety training as mandated by UCLA Environmental Health & Safety.

Qualifications:

Basic qualifications Ph.D. degree in bioengineering or related area.

Additional qualifications Demonstrated skills in microbiology, cell tracking algorithms, synchrotron x-ray diffraction. 2-5 years of relevant work experience in above areas in an academic or industrial research environment.

Application Requirements:

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Statement of Inclusive Excellence
• Reference check authorization release form – Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
• UCLA Mission Statement – As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

  The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

  Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles Expand our reach as a global university Enhance our research and creative activities Elevate how we teach Become a more effective institution

  Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

  Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

• Statement of Teaching (Optional)
• Self-Statement (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 2-3 required (contact information only)

References may be contacted to verify experience.

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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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.

• “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

Job location:

Los Angeles, CA