Assistant Professor (Glass)

Position Summary

This position is responsible for initiating and conducting innovative research in an area related to the strategic goals of JCVI. Assistant Professors are expected to help or lead the development of grants or contracts as a PI or co-PI; be project leaders and/or serve as a key contributor to larger team projects involving multiple Professors. Assistant Professors are emerging research leaders who are recognized internally as scientific/technical specialists in a field of research and have begun to achieve external recognition for their research accomplishments as well. 

Essential Functions

• Leads and/or makes significant contributions to research projects in defined areas related to the goals of the Institute, without significant supervision.
• Significantly contributes to the conceptualization and writing of research proposals in order to obtain grant/contract funding.

• Designs and executes/implements scientific experiments/tools; analyzes and interprets experimental results. 
• Make decisions and perform activities that are important to the success of the program/project.

• Trains and supervises other faculty members, staff scientists, research associates and/or post-doctoral fellows, and/or students and/or data specialists.
• Keeps current on research efforts in specific scientific discipline and advances knowledge of related scientific fields through continued reading of the literature.

• Attends and participates in national and international scientific meetings.

• Publishes results of scientific work in peer-reviewed journals or equivalent on a consistent basis.

• Participates in JCVI laboratory meetings and scientific groups.

• Responsible for the integration of environmental, health and safety protocols into work activities. This includes reporting potential hazards and when necessary helping to implement solutions to ensure safety and respect for the environment.

• Supervises staff to provide guidance and counseling for effective employee relations to include performance appraisals, regular performance feedback and direction.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Strictly adheres to all documented JCVI policies and procedures to include carrying out all functions required of Institute employees (i.e. completion of timesheets in an accurate and timely manner).

Prerequisites

• M.D. or Ph.D. in relevant scientific discipline such as Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience or Computer Science required. Minimum of three years post-doctoral experience performing duties similar to the above. Individuals who do not hold a Ph.D. or M.D. but with comparable experience in a relevant field and have demonstrated exceptional scientific accomplishments and technology development may also be eligible. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise staff.
• High level of discretion for confidential work and information; ability to appropriately handle critical information and sensitive situations.
• Must be able to conduct investigations in relevant scientific areas.
• Must be able to formulate experimental hypotheses and analyze and interpret scientific data.
• Strong computer aptitude, including experience with word processing and/or spreadsheet software and/or data analysis and database software.
• Familiarity with standard laboratory safety procedures and equipment.
• Superior verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Flexibility to handle a variety of tasks and shift priorities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff and external contacts; ability to work as an effective team member.
• Cooperative and service-oriented attitude; must be able to work under pressure and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to use sound judgment to effectively solve problems within the scope of the position.
• High level of initiative and ability to work with minimum supervision.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic)
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for an extended period of time while working in the lab.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer and lab work
• Light to moderate lifting is required

J. Craig Venter Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.