Postdoctoral Scholar in Biology of Aging University of California Berkeley Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology

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The Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks Postdoctoral Scholars to join an interdisciplinary research team study and to work under the supervision of Professor Danica Chen, in the area of biology of aging.

One of the most fundamental questions in biology is how we age. The past decades have witnessed a significant revision of a traditional view that aging is simply a random and passive process that is solely driven by entropy. In fact, the aging process is regulated genetically and lifespan can be extended by single gene mutations. Our research aims to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the aging process and explore therapeutic targets to slow aging and even reverse aging-associated degeneration. The most intriguing aspect of pharmaceutical intervention that targets the aging pathways is that, instead of targeting a specific disease, it has the potential of ameliorating a wide array of seemingly unrelated diseases associated with aging, such as cancer, tissue degeneration, metabolic syndrome, and immune dysfunction.

This position involves laboratory work on a daily basis. The employee will perform studies in the laboratory to examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate aging and diseases of aging using mouse models and cell culture.

Specific duties of the position will include:
• Implementation of experiments to examine the effects of genetic manipulations on hallmarks of aging and diseases of aging
• Data analyses and recording
• Participate in and present results at lab meetings and in discussions with the PI
• Mentor undergraduate students
•Prepare manuscripts for dissemination of research results through publications

Labor Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/px/index.html

Salary Scale: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2022/may-2022-postdoc-scales/t23.pdf

• PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD degree program (or equivalent international degree) at the time of application

• PhD (or equivalent international degree) by start date
• The candidate should have no more than four years of post-degree research experience by start date

• Demonstrated experience with cell culture
• Demonstrated experience with standard molecular biology techniques, including cloning, PCR, electrophoresis, Western blot
• Demonstrated experience with standard cell biology techniques, including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining
• Demonstrated experience with phenotyping of mouse models
• Demonstrated experience with genomics and bioinformatics
• Demonstrated experience with metabolomics

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UC Berkeley. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and non-academic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality (http://apo.berkeley.edu/ucb-confidentiality-policy) prior to submitting their letter.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for the deadlines applicable to new University of California employees. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Positions that are represented by a collective bargaining unit or agent have particular contracts. For more information, please refer to the relevant contract: Lecturer contract, Postdoctoral contract, Research Series contract, and Librarian contract. Questions about represented positions can be directed to the hiring unit.