BioPACIFIC MIP Automated Synthesis Project Scientist in the California NanoSystems Institute

BioPACIFIC MIP Automated Synthesis Project Scientist

(Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist)

The BioPACIFIC MIP operates a state-of-the-art user facility dedicated to biomaterials discovery and development. This research eco-system integrates the very broad, disparate communities from Engineering, Materials, Biology, and Chemistry and enables materials innovation through high-throughput automation in synthetic biology and chemistry, characterization, computation, and data collection, analysis, and mining. BioPACIFIC MIP is seeking a motivated individual to grow a world-class resource for automated synthetic chemistry of novel biomaterials and take a lead role in the development and application of these next-generation tools in advancing BioPACIFIC MIP's research mission and enabling a national user base to utilize this resource.

Reporting to the Executive Director at UCSB of the NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, the Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will lead the Synthetic Chemistry Facility at BioPACIFIC MIP. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will spend 30% time, in tandem with the BioPACIFIC MIP in-house research team, on making significant and creative contributions to in-house research, including advancing new processes and procedures for use on the facility's cutting-edge equipment, developing and carrying out relevant experiments, publishing scientific papers, presenting at technical conferences, and filing IP disclosures. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will collaborate with in-house Senior Faculty participants, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students to continuously build expertise and remain at the forefront of their research fields: gain fluency in the operational aspects of the equipment, in the science that leverages the equipment, and in advances to the state of the art in synthetic chemistry workflows and systems that should be leveraged as the center evolves. Building expertise will include attending and presenting at regular research meetings with affiliate researchers from both UCSB and UCLA where they will provide consultation on tool usage, experimental design, and data interpretation.

External users will also consult with the Automated Synthesis Project Scientist to develop a Project Feasibility and Research plan. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will review topically relevant BioPACIFIC MIP user proposals and advise on whether the proposed work is technically feasible, or if a proposal requires revision to be accepted. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist can also advise on how to set up the work to maximize the likelihood of success. Once the proposal is accepted, the Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will be the BioPACIFIC MIP technical Point-of-Contact on the project. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will devote 70% time to serve as a scientific and technical expert and train external users in the operation of these tools, and on setting up, carrying out, and analyzing experiments in support of their work at BioPACIFIC MIP. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will run a training module as part of the BioPACIFIC MIP Summer School and other similar workshops that will serve to highlight the facilities and research capabilities and promote use by internal and external users.

The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will be responsible for the strategic growth of the facility, including developing, specifying, ordering, and installing equipment for the BioPACIFIC MIP, as well as working to design and build new automated equipment and modify existing equipment to expand capabilities and improve workflows. The Automated Synthesis Project Scientist will also integrate these tools with relevant characterization equipment and data gathering platforms. This includes researching the state of the art in industry and academia, consulting with in-house and external users on the required capabilities of the equipment, working with the building manager to ensure that the facilities requirements for the equipment are in place, and independently designing experiments to vet and qualify the equipment capabilities. The latter item requires scientific expertise in the field.

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service as appropriate to the position.

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials, Biology, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering at the time of application.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience working in a synthetic chemistry laboratory.
• Experience with multiple polymer synthesis motifs, workflows, and methodologies.
• Experience with laboratory or workflow automation (hardware and software).
• Experience with solid-support synthesis and flow chemistry.
• Industry experience in materials or process development.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented work environment.
• Ability to work creatively and independently and follow through on assignments with minimal or no directions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the public.
• Skilled in project management, prioritizing workload, assessing timelines, coordinating numerous assignments/projects simultaneously under heavy workload.
• Ability to utilize a variety of communication methods to move projects forward in a timely manner.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Demonstrated skill supervising professional and support staff.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants are required to provide contact information (telephone and email) for a minimum of 3 references.

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 or 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

The University of California 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 University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.