X-ray Crystallography Laboratory Director in the Chemistry Department

Salary range:
The salary range for this position is $63,500-$204,700. "Off-scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The general nature of the Specialist position is to direct the Department of Chemistry small molecule X-ray crystallography facility. This primarily entails management of the facility, participation in research projects, and providing training. The Specialist is expected to collaborate with departmental faculty, graduate students, post-graduate researchers and visiting scientists. This collaboration involves scientific feasibility assessment, consultation on crystal growth and selection, data collection, data reduction, structure solution and refinement, analysis of the results, and the preparation of materials for publication. These skills are also passed on to users of the facility who wish to receive this training. The Specialist may also initiate collaborations outside the department with other departments within the Campus, other universities, and private industry. The Specialist is expected to keep abreast of developments in the field of crystallography. Attendance of at least one professional meeting per year is supported. The Specialist is also encouraged to pursue independent research to the extent that it does not conflict with primary responsibilities. Due to the multi-faceted demands of the various projects, instrumentation, software, hardware and personalities, the Specialist must have a high level of organizational and interpersonal skills. The Specialist may also develop and write extramural and intramural grant proposals for department and/or specialized research programs as needed and assist other researchers in developing and writing proposals. The Specialist serves as a reviewer for scientific journals and grant funding agencies, with particular emphasis on the field of crystallography. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

1. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90%)

I. FACILITY MANAGEMENT (35%)

A. Provide leadership for the experiments that are carried out in the facility. Maintain high quality while responding to the individual desired outcome of the experiment.

B. Coordinate the use of the facility to fairly meet the needs of all users and provide for efficient use of the instruments.

C. Maintain and repair scientific instruments whenever possible. Coordinate with electronics, computer support, and mechanical shops when necessary.

D. Maintain computers, install software, and software updates. Build a computer when necessary. Create and delete user accounts. Maintain local databases. Maintain the Cambridge Structural Database.

E. Ensure laboratory compliance with university and state safety regulations.

F. Keep records for accounting purposes and usage database for recharging system.

G. Create and continually maintain data backup system for redundancy.

H. Update information on the Department X-Ray facility webpage.

II. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT (50%)

A. Coordinate and mentor researchers in assessing the suitability of their crystals, and in collecting X-ray crystallographic diffraction data.

B. Determine and refine crystal structures.

C. Write crystallographic sections for journal publications.

D. Prepare tables and drawings for publication. Use validation procedures to ensure correctness of results.

E. Collaborate with researchers in the analysis of their structures and co-author publications. Supply researchers with all necessary data for their research and publications. Mentor students in publication of crystallographic data.

F. Archive data and maintain records.

G. Develop and write extramural and intramural grant proposals for department and/or specialized research programs as needed and assist other researchers in developing and writing proposals.

III. TRAINING PROVISION (5%)

A. Provide training on the theory and operation of X-ray facility instrumentation and computers to faculty, graduate and post-graduate researchers and visiting scientists.

B. Provide training in the methods for solution and refinement of crystal structures, validation of results, and analysis of the derived results.

C. Identify and evaluate new software in the field and provide training in its use.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

A. Mentor researchers who conduct X-ray crystallographic investigations.

B. Serve on Ph.D. committees when requested and approved.

C. Participate in professional societies or groups and other educational and research organizations.

D. Review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to areas of expertise.

E. Serve on advisory committees for national research laboratories and research facilities.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

A. Participate in activities for committees within the department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate.

B. Provide leadership for non-formal education of the public in areas related to crystallography.

C. Perform all functions of Lab Safety officer writing necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Maintaining: 1. Authorized user lists, 2. Dosimetry records 3. Lab safety training forms, 4. Perform lab safety training.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field. The candidate should possess all technical qualifications related to operation and maintenance of the instrumentation, have an established record of research accomplishment (publications etc.), and have experience and success in training and mentoring graduate students.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

A postdoctoral position or equivalent experience in managing an academic X-ray Diffraction facility desirable.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Apply link:
https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07549

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

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

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 for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

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.

Davis, CA