Assistant Project Scientist Developmental Neurobiology Neuroscience Department

Join the Assistant Project Scientist Developmental Neurobiology Neuroscience Department role at the University of California, Berkeley.

The Neuroscience Department seeks applications for an Assistant Project Scientist in the Bateup Lab, in the area of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Position Overview

The person in this position will work on a project seeking to understand how mutations in neurodevelopmental disorder risk genes affect early cortical development. We use human pluripotent stem cells with defined mutations in disease-risk genes and differentiate these into human cortical organoids. Our goal is to uncover the molecular and cellular basis of how mutations in these genes disrupt brain development and function in organoid models.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining human pluripotent stem cell cultures, including proper quality control
• Differentiating stem cells into human cortical organoids and culturing them for up to a year
• Performing calcium imaging of neurons and glia in 2D and 3D cultures
• Analyzing neuronal development and morphology using anatomical and imaging techniques
• Analyzing synaptic development and function using anatomical and electrophysiological techniques
• Analyzing data and preparing figures for talks and presentations
• Contributing to writing of lab research grants
• Pursuing publication of research in peer-reviewed journals
• Developing and troubleshooting new related research directions and techniques
• Training and mentoring junior lab members
• Supervising an SRA working on this project
• Communicating progress and findings to team members at UC Berkeley and in the larger collaborative group
• Giving oral or poster presentations on this work at conferences

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent international degree)

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent international degree in Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology or related field
• Experience publishing lead author primary research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience culturing human stem cells
• Experience differentiating and maintaining human brain organoids
• Experience performing neuronal calcium imaging and analysis
• Experience with biochemical assays including western blotting
• Experience with immunostaining, confocal imaging and image analysis
• Strong understanding of neural development and neurodevelopmental disorders
• Self-motivated, interactive, and meticulous approach to tasks and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to mentor and train junior trainees (i.e. undergraduates and graduate students)
• Strong communication skills, including experience with oral and poster presentations

The University of California, Berkeley 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, or protected veteran status.