Associate/Full Researcher - Biological Researcher Advanced Bioimaging Center Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Position overview Position title: Researcher
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position:https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t13-a.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $200,000 - $280,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Fall/Winter 2024

Position duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window
Open date: November 13, 2024

Next review date: Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The Advanced BioImaging Center (ABC) in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Professional Researcher at the Associate, or Full rank. The selected candidate will be appointed at the rank to commensurate with prior experience. The position will report to Professor Gokul Upadhyayula, with Professor Eric Betzig serving as an additional academic mentor. The researcher will conduct independent research at a level comparable to the Professor series.

The Advanced BioImaging Center (ABC) at UC Berkeley aspires to be a world-leading multidisciplinary imaging center that drives important biological discoveries through critical new advances in all aspects of imaging technology and that drives the dissemination of that technology through a multi-pronged education strategy to scientists around the world. ABC was intentionally designed to maximize scientific productivity and impact by adopting groundbreaking imaging technologies such as the next-generation adaptive optical multifunctional microscope, incorporating the high-level technical expertise of instrumentation scientists, applied mathematicians, and computational scientists, and building worldwide collaborations aimed at tackling the challenges posed by terabyte and petabyte-scale imaging data processing, visualization, and dissemination. Members of the ABC have access to leading - edge imaging and computing hardware, as well as exposure to collaborators from a range of diverse disciplines, including in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Mathematics, and more.

This position will focus on advanced, independent research leading the ABC biology team in producing novel transgenic zebrafish embryo reagents necessary to serve as benchmarks to train AI models. The researcher will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of optical physicists, engineers, and computational imaging researchers to achieve the ambitious goal of creating a generative AI model for segmenting and querying complex 4D high-resolution data of zebrafish development. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to advancing biological imaging and AI-driven data analysis at the intersection of biology and computational science.

As this project grows, the individual will be expected to expand their leadership and adapt to the evolving scope of the research. The role will begin with leading efforts to supervise the generation of new transgenic zebrafish lines, coordinating data collection and management, and collaborating with leadership across the center. Over time, the researcher will build and manage a team of biologists to test AI-driven imaging models and will facilitate scientific collaborations with local, domestic, and international researchers. This position will take on a growing role and contribute to a groundbreaking initiative in biological imaging.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducting and designing independent research and leading a team in generating zebrafish reagents to enable high-quality light sheet microscopy data collection.
• Collaborating with experts in optical physics, engineering, and computational imaging to support a generative AI model for high-resolution developmental biology data.
• Conducting and leading experimental design, data acquisition, and data analysis pipelines to ensure optimal data quality.
• Supervising the generation of new transgenic zebrafish lines and coordinating data collection and management.
• Scaling efforts by building and leading a team of biologists to test AI imaging models.
• Facilitating and maintaining scientific collaborations with local, domestic, and international researchers as the project expands.
• Publishing research findings in high-impact journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
• Supervising and mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and academic research titles involved in microscopy and biological data analysis.
• Overseeing lab operations, ensuring adherence to safety guidelines and maintaining high standards in record-keeping and equipment maintenance.
• Collaborating on the design and development of new microscopy techniques and imaging protocols to further ABC's mission.
  
  This position includes full benefits.
  
  Lab: https://abc.berkeley.edu/
  
  Qualifications
  Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  PhD (or equivalent international degree)
  
  Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
• For the Associate Researcher rank: 8+ years of post PhD research experience as a group leader or principal investigator (PI) supervising a team of PhD-level scientists in industry or academia.
  
  
• For the full Researcher rank: 14+ post PhD research experience, with at least 8+ years of experience leading a team as a principal investigator (PI) at the university level or in industry, with demonstrated success managing graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and technicians, or the equivalent in an industry setting.
  
  Preferred qualifications
• Ph.D. or equivalent international degree in Biology, Bioengineering, or related fields.
  
  
• Hands-on experience with light sheet microscopy and transgenic zebrafish models.
  
  
• Strong background in developmental biology and imaging techniques.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience working with large-scale biological datasets, including experience with computational image analysis.
  
  
• Proven track record of interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in integrating biological research with physics, engineering, or computational fields.
  
  
• Strong publication record indicating research independence and leadership.
  
  
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience as PI or co-PI on multiple multi-year grants in developmental and/or cell biology.
  
  
• Deep understanding of building transgenic tools for imaging.
  
  
• Expertise in leading teams in executing cell and developmental biology projects, as evidenced by last author peer-reviewed publications within their scientific discipline. Possible areas of interest include acquisition of cell fate, cell morphogenesis, cell-cell signaling and the intersection of cell cycle state with developmental biology.
  
  
• Readiness to scale efforts and grow with the expanding scope of the project, including building and managing a team and facilitating collaborations.
  
  Application Requirements
  
  Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
  • Complete list of publications
  • Statement of Research - Provide a summary of your major research accomplishments in approximately 250 words. Additionally, please include a brief statement highlighting your experience that is directly relevant to the key responsibilities of this position.
  • Statement on Contributions to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in research, teaching, and service, including information about your record of activities to date, and plans for contributing if hired at UC Berkeley. More Information and guidelines.
  
  
  Reference requirements
  
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
  
  Letters of reference will only be solicited for candidates who are finalists.
  Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04659
  
  Help contact: harrisonmd@berkeley.edu
  
  About UC Berkeley
  
  UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).
  
  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.
  
  Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.
  
  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 prior to submitting their letter.
  
  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.
  
  Job location
  Berkeley, CA
  
  
  To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04659