Academic Coordinator in Neuroscience
University of California Santa Barbara Office of Research
United States

Application Window

The Clegg Laboratory in the Neuroscience Research Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for a part-time (37%) Academic Coordinator II (Mentorship Facilitator) position. The Mentorship Facilitator appointee will design and execute a Mentoring Program to ensure all CIRM EDUC5 COMPASS trainees receive customized, appropriate, and meaningful mentorship throughout their time in the program.

Duties include:

1) Coordinate the resources and opportunities for students to participate in hands-on research in stem cell biology, gene therapy, or related regenerative medicine activities, either at UCSB or with a partnering “host” institution, which may be biotech or pharmaceutical companies, research universities or institutes.

2) Design a structured mentoring program to ensure that the CIRM COMPASS Scholars experience the process of the scientific method including, but not limited to: extensive review and evaluation of published literature related to their research topic; robust design of experiments to test hypotheses; hands-on bench research; thorough analysis of results to i) form conclusions and ii) to inform the next experiments in the Scholars’ research program. The Mentorship Facilitator appointee will directly meet with Scholars to instruct how to clearly and logically communicate research findings and will coordinate oral presentations among the Scholars each quarter.

3) Identify and train a team of individual(s) including external advisors that will serve as role models for students, and who will bring culturally aware knowledge and perspectives representing the targeted student groups that may not be present in the resident faculty of the academic institution.

4) Establish the COMPASS Mentoring Program. Appointee will i) design the curriculum and ii) direct its execution. The Program must include:
• Individual development plans for students
• Formal training for the research advisors and mentors of the COMPASS Scholars, including implicit bias training and access to any institutional courses or resources relating to promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the scientific and broader community
• Development of mentoring agreements between students, research advisors, and/or any other key mentors supporting preparation and presentation of a culminating Capstone Project (see below)
• Cohort-wide activities to guide personal and professional growth such as life skills workshops, resume/interview workshops, and networking events
• Activities to develop soft skills such as presentation and scientific writing
• Career counseling and introduction to diverse opportunities for applying regenerative medicine skillsets in the workforce such as manufacturing, quality control and assurance, regulatory affairs, entrepreneurship and business development, scientific communications, etc.
• Plans for Sharing of Mentoring Program approaches and outcomes within and outside of the institution

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.

Department: https://www.nri.ucsb.edu/

Lab: https://labs.mcdb.ucsb.edu/clegg/dennis/

• Doctoral degree in a field closely related to stem cell biology or regenerative medicine

• Extensive previous experience (>4 years) in a leadership role as a mentor to biology students
• Extensive experience (>4 years) in stem cell culture and aseptic technique
• Publication(s) to demonstrate that the candidate has hands-on research experience with pluripotent stem cells and / or regenerative medicine
• Publication(s) to demonstrate that the candidate has first-person pedagogical experience

• Experience in clinical translation of a stem cell-derived therapy to clinical trials
• Demonstrated excellence at teaching
• Demonstrated excellence at communication and oral presentations

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Please provide the names and complete contact information for 3 references. The department will conduct a reference check for the finalist before extending an offer.

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 status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.