Levine Lab – Pain Research Pharmacologist (Assistant Professional Researcher) Full-time

Levine Lab – Pain Research Pharmacologist (Assistant Professional Researcher)

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery University of California, San Francisco

The Levine Lab is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Research Pharmacologist. Applications are being accepted for the position of Assistant Professional Researcher.

Key Responsibilities:

• Disease Models: Preclinical models for diverse pain syndromes (inflammatory, neuropathic and nociplastic).
• Evaluation of Pain in Rats: Design and perform evoked and spontaneous pain experiments to assess peripheral mechanisms of pain and analgesia (e.g., Randall-Selitto test, von Frey test, Hargreaves test, facial grimace).
• Drug Assessment: Familiarity with intradermal, intrathecal, intraplantar, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes of administration.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to resolve complex issues by evaluating gathered scientific data.
• Data Analysis: Analyze large datasets from behavioral pharmacology experiments and graphic presentation of data using appropriate software (e.g., SPSS, R, GraphPad Prism) to interpret complex behavioral and physiological data.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with cross-disciplinary teams, including pharmacologists, molecular biologists, electrophysiologists and computational biologists, to achieve research objectives.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare research reports, manuscripts for publication, lab compliance (e.g., IACUC, biohazard, BUA), and contribute to grant writing.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior researchers and students in experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Physiology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, or a related field, plus 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Expertise in pain behavioral pharmacology with a focus on peripheral mechanisms (role of the nociceptor in preclinical models of pain syndromes).
• Strong hands-on experience in rat experimentation and pain-behavior experimental protocols.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing research reports, publications, and documentation for institutional compliance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced expertise in pain behavioral pharmacology techniques.
• Strong understanding of neuronal signaling pathways, especially in nociceptors.
• Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism).
• Strong publication record in relevant fields (e.g., pain mechanisms, especially in nociceptor function).
• Ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot complex in vivo experiments.
• Experience with managing projects and timelines, proactively identify potential research issues and troubleshooting.
• Able to train junior associates and productively manage project progress.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate work tasks with others, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to learn new methods and skills for changing research priorities.

See Table 13B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $93,400-$122,100.

Please click here to apply with a cover letter, CV, and contact information for two references. Applicant materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission. The selected candidate must meet all the qualifications at the time of appointment.

Application Requirements:

Document requirements

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae – CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

About UC San Francisco

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.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

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, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy • APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

San Francisco, CA