Recruit

The Electron Imaging Center for Nanosystems (EICN) 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 cellular cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET), high resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) to support biological imaging research. UCLA is ranked among the finest research-intensive universities in the world.

With a strong focus on interdisciplinary work, EICN provides state-of-the-art electron microscopy instruments and assisted usage services. Highly experienced staff provide necessary training and assist users address complex electron imaging needs. EICN offers advanced electron imaging techniques for visualizing materials, nanomachines, and cellular structures at atomic or nanometer scales in 2D and 3D. (More information about EICN can be found at: https://eicn.cnsi.ucla.edu/).

The Assistant Project Scientist will be part of a dynamic team that further develop and drive the dissemination of these techniques through interdisciplinary collaborations across such diverse research fields as molecular, cell and developmental biology, neuroscience, biomechanics, biophysics and chemistry.
The successful candidate will perform independent research under the supervision of Prof. Hong Zhou (PI), working on research projects on both structure-determination method development and determining cryoEM structures of protein complexes in natively biological systems.

The candidate will spend 50% time devoted to method development in cryoEM. This method will incorporate advanced AI-based computational and image processing strategies into the cryoEM workflow.

The Assistant Project Scientist will also devote 50% time to applying the newly developed method to determine the structures of trans-membrane transporters at close to native functional states, in collaboration with members of the UCLA research community.

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 AI, computer programing, and cryoEM experience in sample preparation, image processing and structure determination for atomic resolution single particle cryoEM.
• Support variety of cryoEM projects.
• Coordinate user requests, services, and inter-laboratory collaboration projects.
• Develop, maintain and disseminate updated versions of policies and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee undergraduates, graduate students and other trainees in the laboratory.

Research Duties and Responsibilities:
• Implement and develop new imaging technologies.
• Design experiments and tools to solve scientific projects.
• Design and develop software and methods for rapid, automated high-content image analysis on various microscope platforms

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
• Serve as a liaison between EICN users, faculty, committee members, administration and other external institutions/companies.
• 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.
• Complete all appropriate safety training as mandated by UCLA Environmental Health & Safety.

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, 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