Exposure Scientists and Toxicologists Positions at CalEPA

I received this message earlier today.  There were attachments with more detailed information.  If interested, I would contact Dr. Polisini whose contact info is below or Gerald Pollock (Gerald.Pollock@dtsc.ca.gov) from whom I received the email message. 

We’re interested in Exposure Scientists!

There may have been some confusion based on surveys of previous recipients of this notice. We have an open position for someone experienced in exposure assessment, particularly modeling exposures, who might be interested in working with the California Safer Consumer Products Program.

The California Safer Consumer Products Branch is seeking Toxicologist or Exposure Scientist candidates with demonstrated experience in assessing exposure to chemicals in consumer products. The position will support the implementation of California’s Green Chemistry law and the associated Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulations. These unique regulations are designed to reduce harm from chemicals in consumer products. The SCP branch offers a progressive, friendly work environment that values innovative thinking, collaborative approaches, and enthusiasm for learning.

Please see the attached, more detailed, announcement as well as the Job Duty Statement (JDS) for the Toxicology Classification we are using to fill this Exposure Assessment position. Feel free to distribute it to those you feel might be interested.


James M Polisini, Ph.D., Supervising Toxicologist
Human and Ecological Risk Office
Department of Toxic Substances Control
9211 Oakdale Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818.717.6593 Voice
818.717.6515 Facsimile

Toxicology positions at the EPA

Earlier today, I received the following email about positions at the USEPA.  

The following job announcement was posted to USAJOBS today, December 8, 2016. The position is for a Biologist/Toxicologist (Neuro/Repro/Devel), GS-13. Please feel free to forward the job announcement to colleagues within your network. Note the job announcement closes on Wednesday, December 14. You may view the announcement from the following link by directly going to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/458873000/ or by visiting USAJOBS and entering in the job announcement number (RTP-ORD-DE-2017-0020).

Lauren Walker posts new article on retinoids and birth defects

ETOX student Lauren Walker has joined with UCLA professor Michael Collins to write an article about the use of retinoids by pregnant women and birth defects.  The article is timely in that the FDA has recently approved a retinoid drug for over-the-counter use in treating acne.  It has been published on the Teratology Society's website as well as on its Linked In webpage.  Our congratulations to Lauren and Mike for sharing their knowledge on this important topic. 

Cell Biology position at UC Irvine

Below is a message that I recently received. 

Dear Colleague:

Thank you for your review of the following announcement and please feel free to forward this along to anyone you may know with interest and relevant experience.

Faculty Position

Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine.
Applications are invited for a faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor. Candidates with integrative and quantitative approaches to biological problems in emerging areas critical to the study of development, homeostasis and renewal, both at the tissue and organismal level, are particularly encouraged to apply. Exemplary areas include but are not limited to combining experimental genetics with Big Data analysis, or exploring gene-environment interactions and epigenetic control in the context of developmental systems and disease.  The successful applicant is expected to conduct a strong research program and to contribute to the teaching mission of the University of California. See http://devcell.bio.uci.edu/ for more information on the department. Please send curriculum vitae, 3 page summary of research accomplishments and goals, a brief statement of teaching experience and philosophy, a separate statement that addresses past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion and the contact information for three individuals who can provide letters of reference via the on-line recruitment URL: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF03788.  Please follow the application instructions under “Department of Developmental & Cell Biology.”

To receive full consideration, material should be received by December 31, 2016.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. A recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity, UCI is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, supports work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies, and is dedicated to broadening participation in higher education.


Karen Martin   
Administrator, Center for Complex Biological Systems
Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology Graduate Programs
University of California, Irvine
2626 Biological Sciences 3
Irvine, CA  92697-2280
#949/824-3377
FAX: #949/824-6444
https://ccbs.uci.edu

Environmental Toxicology position at UC Davis

Below is an message that Dawn Loyola received this morning from Prof. Denison. 

UC Davis has a faculty position open in the Department of Environmental Toxicology. We are happy to consider many areas of specialization relevant to environmental toxicology.  Areas of particular interest include biochemical, molecular and environmental toxicology, toxicogenomics and systems toxicology.  The complete advertisement is available at our UC Davis Recruit website (https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF00764).


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael S. Denison, Ph.D., RKGAAGS, Fellow ATS
Professor
Department of Environmental Toxicology
Meyer Hall
University of California
Davis, CA  95616  USA

Positions at the National Toxicology Program

Below is a message that I received this morning from Ruth Lunn about open positions at the National Toxicology Program in North Carolina.  If interested, please use the links below. 

The Office of the Report on Carcinogens/Division of the National Toxicology Program/NIEHS has two vacancies for health scientists (GS-13 or GS-14) with expertise in epidemiology or toxicology (especially mechanisms of toxicology).  Please forward the job announcements (see below) to your colleagues.  Note that deadline to apply is this Friday (December 2, 2016).

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/457224600/

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/457182800/

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you are enjoying the Thanksgiving holidays.  Below are two photos that I took on my bike ride yesterday.  It was a beautiful day and parts of Sycamore Canyon park were particularly pretty. 

One of my favorite areas in Sycamore Canyon Park

ETOX Fall Social 2016

On Friday evening Nov. 18, the director of the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, Yinsheng Wang and his wife Shuli, hosted the annual fall social at their house.  There was a good turn-out with approximately 30-40 in attendance.  Our thanks to Yinsheng and Shuli for hosting the dinner.  Below are pictures from the event.

Prof. Yinsheng Wang and his wife Shuli, our hosts for the evening.

ETOX Student Presentations at the SCCSOT meeting

The Southern California Chapter of the Society of Toxicology held its annual meeting at the Allergan campus in Irvine on Oct. 26, and UC Riverside was well represented.  My (Crystal) Hua and Monique Williams, ETOX graduate students and Giovanna Pozuelos (a CMDB graduate student) were all asked to give oral presentations of their research.  Monique Williams also received the first place award in the student presentation competition.  Below is a picture of Monique (on left) with Arezoo Cambell, the SCCSOT President.  Our congratulations to all three students, but especially Monique for this nice recognition.

STEM Outreach by ETOX Graduate Students

On October 29, a number of Environmental Toxicology graduate students volunteered to assist with outreach in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields at the Riverside County Office of Education Science Fair Expo.  As described by Lauren Walker, one of the volunteers, "the Riverside County STEM system puts together a Science Fair Expo every couple of years at the Riverside Office of Education near downtown Riverside. The event aims to help students develop ideas for their science fair projects by providing one-on-one consultations, presentations (e.g., how to design and present a science project), and hands-on activities/exhibitions run by STEM experts)".

Continuing Lauren's description, "Sara Vliet, My (Crystal) Hua, Corey Griffith, and I all served as consultants. Corey Griffith, Nicole Williams, Stefani Andrews and I also ran a hands-on chromatography exhibit demonstrating how chromatography can be used to identify water contaminants. Many students (and parents!) dropped by their booth and had a lot of fun separating out food dye "contaminants" from our "contaminated water" (i.e., pureed spinach plus food dye). A few of the students told me after visiting that the activity was "really cool" and wanted to do something similar for their own science fair projects. Overall, the day was a great success thanks to the efforts of our student planning committee: Stefani Andrews, Corey Griffith, Samuel Hinman, My Hua, Marcus Pennington, Nicole Williams, Sara Vliet, and myself."

Our appreciation to these students for their outreach efforts.  Below are pictures of the event provided by Lauren.

Nicole Williams, Corey Griffith, Lauren Walker and Crystal Hua working with students.  

Nicole Williams working with some students.  

 

Stefani Andrews talking to a parent.

Four generations of scientists

At the invitation of his former student and ETOX alumna Xiaoqin Ye, Sarjeet Gill spoke at the University of Georgia last week as an invited speaker at the Southeastern Chapter of Society of Toxicology (SESOT) 2016 Annual Conference.  In addition, Dr. Ye's first Ph.D. student and one of his students were in attendance so four academic generations were together.  Below are two photos sent by Xiaoqin of the meeting.

Professors Ye and Gill

 Four academic generations together.

EMGS meeting in Kansas City

The Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society held its annual meeting this past week in Kansas City and a number of former students and postdocs were in attendance.  Below are photos.  All seem to be doing well.

View from the hotel.

Union Station at night.

ETOX alumna Catherine Gibbons, now a scientist at the EPA

 Dave Eastmond and two former postdocs, Rupa Doppalapudi (SRI) and Shambhu Roy (Bioreliance)

 Former postdoc Maik Schuler (Pfizer). Maik is also the husband of Naomi Rodriguez, our former student affairs officer. 

Yet another EPA position available

As described in its announcement, "EPA’s National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking qualified biologists/toxicologists with the relevant combination of academic and professional experiences related to genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, high-throughput data, and new data technologies to join the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program as a systems biologist. For more information, including information on the specific duties and required qualifications, click here".  Note the closing date is Sept. 23, 2016.  

Another Toxicologist position at the EPA

The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics’, Risk Assessment Division at the US EPA is looking for another toxicologist/biologist/physical scientist/chemist.  More information can be found here.  The closing date is Sept. 12, 2016.  Thanks again to Heidi Bethel for providing the information. 

Toxicologist position at the USEPA

The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics’, Risk Assessment Division at the US EPA is looking for a toxicologist/biologist.  More information can be found on the USA jobs website.  The closing date is Sept. 6 so if interested, you will need to move quickly.  Heidi Bethel, one of our alumna, may be able to answer additional questions about the position.  Let me know if you would like me to help you get in touch with her.   

UCR Toxicologist Bob Krieger passes away

Bob Krieger, a UCR extension toxicologist and long-time ETOX faculty member, passed away on July 26 from complications from a stroke.  Bob was fine colleague and dedicated mentor who will be missed by members of the Program and the University.  He had a distinguished career extending knowledge on pesticides and toxicology to the larger community outside of the university.  He received numerous awards and recognitions including the Society of Toxicology's Public Communication Award and its Education Award.  He was also elected as a AAAS Fellow.  A more detailed description of his work and accomplishments can be found here.  Our condolences go to Ana and the rest of Bob's family.  He will definitely be missed. 

Lauren Walker wins Teratology Society poster presentation award

Lauren Walker, a doctoral student working with Prof. zur Nieden, recently was awarded the James C. Bradford Memorial Award for the Best Trainee Poster Presentation at the annual Teratology Society meeting.  The award was bestowed by the Middle Atlantic Reproduction and Teratology Association (MARTA).  Our congratulations to Lauren for this nice recognition of her work. 

Sharon Walker to serve as interim Dean

Sharon Walker, faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and ETOX faculty member, has been appointed to serve as interim Dean of the Bourns College of Engineering at UC Riverside.  Our congratulations to Sharon and best wishes as she takes on this new challenge. 

Public Health Scientist (Toxicologist) position in Alaska

The state of Alaska is searching for a Public Health Scientist with expertise in toxicology, epidemiology or environmental health sciences.  The position is located in Anchorage.  If interested, more information can be found here.  The closing date is July 25, 2016. 

Toxicologist position with State of Michigan

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is looking for a toxicologist to assist with various risk assessment projects.  As described in the job description, the candidate will work on evaluating the "risks and hazards of chemical contaminants present in the soil, groundwater, soil gas, and indoor air at Superfund Part 201 and Part 213 facilities and will review risk assessments, site-specific criteria proposals, remedial investigations, closure reports and other documents related to the cleanup of contaminated sites.  This person is responsible for developing and updating the generic cleanup criteria and providing information about the generic and site-specific risk-based cleanup criteria." A Masters degree is required and the position will be located in Lansing, MI.  More information can be found here. 

Annual Student Symposium 2016

On Wednesday and Thursday June 22-23, the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program held its annual student symposium at the UCR Botanical Gardens.  It was an impressive event with 43 very good presentations - 7 from new students, 33 from continuing students and 3 from NIEHS predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees. The award winners this year were:  Ming Huang who won the Fukuto award; Nicole Williams, Lauren Walker and Yichong Fan were recognized as honorable mentions.  Sarah Vliet and Gwendolyn Gonzalez were selected for the best 1st year student presentations and Nicole Sparks was recognized with the students choice award.  Jason Cheng was selected for the outstanding mentor award.  Below are pictures from the event.

 Director Yinsheng Wang with the award winners Ming, Lichong, Nicole, Gwendolyn, Sarah and Lauren

Nicole Sparks receiving the Student's Choice award

Jason Cheng's students receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award on his behalf

The first year students

Our student affairs officer, Dawn Loyola, receiving a thank you gift from the students

 The symposium planning commitee

 

The program with the student-designed cover

 A group shot of most of those attending the symposium