Assistant Research Scientist - Neuroscience And Pharmacology (Strack Lab)

The Carver College of Medicine Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (Dr. Strack lab) is seeking an Assistant Research Scientist. This Assistant Research Scientist will perform experiments on the regulation of neuronal function by protein kinases and protein phosphatases using mouse and cell model systems. These experiments will use modern molecular and cell biological techniques including transduction of mammalian cells with viral vectors, immunofluorescence microscopy, transcript quantitation, quantitation of protein phosphorylation and expression by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry, in vitro protein kinase, protein phosphatase, and protein interaction assays. Experiments will also involve handling rodents and include survival surgery (e.g., stereotaxic injections) of transgenic and knockout animal models and behavioral assays.
Characteristic Duties And Responsibilities

• Evaluate data to establish relevance to the problem or problems being evaluated
• Develop new proposals for research and obtain support for new and/or continuing research activities
• Identify and define problems, solutions to which can be approached through a scientific research process
• Train investigators and support staff as requested by supervisor
• Manage all or part of a research project including monitoring of project funds, as well as coordination of data generation and analysis
• Required are experience maintaining animal colonies, genotyping, and harvesting brain tissue to prepare protein lysates, RNA, or cells for primary culture
• Develop hypotheses to be tested and methodology for evaluating results
• Prepare research results for publication in peer-reviewed journals as well as invited reviews in books or review journals
• Prepare seminars, discussions and lectures for dissemination of knowledge and results of research at national and international meetings
• Participate in determining research priorities and planning programs of research
• Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public

General Performance Expectations

• Inspires and motivates others to high performance by exercising strong stewardship of university resources, setting expectations, measuring success through individual performance evaluations, and driving organizational results
• Establishes and maintains standards of collaborative interaction among peers and employees that is characterized by respect, honesty, and service; assures that all unit members are held to similar standards and ethics
• Manages the talents, strengths, and behaviors of everyone in a diverse work group, while providing each employee with the opportunity to contribute to the goals of the unit. Works to assure that all employees are respected and treated consistent with university policies regarding equal employment opportunity and diversity
• Identifies opportunities for and creates development plans that encourage employees to attend to the growth of their personal and professional capacity; engages self and staff in collective reflection of the University's greater role in society

Our mission is to inspire and educate world class health care providers and scientists for the people of Iowa and our global community. Researchers in the College's over 280 laboratories are served by state-of-the-art core research facilities and research support facilities. Much of the research conducted is interdisciplinary and collaborations are fostered and coordinated through major research centers, institutes, and programs. Many faculty members are internationally renowned for their research. Two faculty members are Howard Hughes Institute Investigators, 12 are members of the Institute of Medicine and two are members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Percent of Time: 100%
Staff Type: Professional & Scientific
Type of Position: Specified Term. Initial appointment is for one year. Appointment may be extended based on performance and availability of funding.
Pay Grade: 5A - https://hr.uiowa.edu/professional-pay/compensation-plan-structure-a-FY18
Benefits Highlights

• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
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• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa

Required Qualifications

• Excellent quantitative skills and facility with statistical and other data analysis software (GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, MATLAB, R, etc.)
• Established track record of scientific productivity (i.e., authorships in peer-reviewed publications)
• Experience with maintaining and breeding colonies of genetically modified mice and using mice as experimental animals
• Experience maintaining animal colonies, genotyping, and harvesting brain tissue to prepare protein lysates, RNA, or cells for primary culture
• Requires a Ph.D. in a biomedical science as well as practical experience and knowledge of biochemistry and neuroscience. Also requires practical experience and theoretical knowledge of reversible phosphorylation mechanisms that impact normal brain function and neurological disorders
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and ability to work independently
• 3 or more years of postdoctoral training
• Willingness to work flexible hours

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in the cloning, subcloning of cDNAs, transfections and transductions of mammalian cells and the functional characterization of transfected/transduced proteins products
• Experience with the analysis of protein phosphorylation in vitro, in cell extracts, and in intact tissues
• Experience with mouse survival surgery, including stereotaxic injections
• Experience with other molecular biology tools such as the preparation of RNA, as well as the quantitation of endogenous gene expression and transcriptional regulation using reporter assays
• Experience with preparation and analysis of primary neuronal cultures from rats and mice
• Experience with the analysis of large ('omics) datasets

Application Process: To be considered, applicants must upload a CV or resume, and cover letter (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be subject to a credential and criminal background check. Professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact Anne Beyerink at [email protected].
Additional Information

• Classification Title: Asst Research Scientist/Engin
• Schedule: Full-time
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific

Compensation

• Pay Level: 5A

Contact Information

• Contact Email: [email protected]
• Contact Name: Anne Beyerink
• Organization: Healthcare

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.