Junior Specialist in Ocular Astrocyte Biology - Brown Lab

Apply Here: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07292

RECRUITMENT PERIOD

Open date:                           9/12/2025                         

Next review date:             Apply by September 30, 2025 (11:59 pm PST) to be included in the first round of review. Applications will be forwarded to the Search Committee after this date. Additional review dates will be added if the position has not been filled.

DESCRIPTION: 

Dr. Nadean Brown’s Lab, within the Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine seeks to hire one part-time employee as a Junior Specialist.  The appointee will be involved in studies investigating the roles of the Pax2 transcription factor during eye development and adult homeostasis.  They will devote 90% of the time to research and related activities, 5% to professional competence and 5% to university and public service, as outlined below. Junior Specialist positions are short-term appointments, up to two years.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE 

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Nadean Brown and will have the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

1. RESEARCH (90% EFFORT) 

The Junior Specialist will participate in publishable research on astrocyte biology in the mammalian eye. This individual is expected to employ molecular, genetic, genomic, and  neurobiological tools to study the mechanisms and regulation of Pax2 in the mammalian eye. Full training will be provided.  Once trained, the individual is expected to work independently on basic experiments and lab duties.  Overall, the junior specialist should plan their own work schedule and experiments, with guidance and oversight by the PI. They will keep a detailed laboratory notebook including all experimental procedures and data generated. 

Techniques employed can include, but are not limited to, PCR genotyping, DNA isolation and electrophoresis, maintaining mouse colonies, light and fluorescent microscopy, mouse genetics, mouse behavioral assays and ex vivo mouse retinal imaging. This will be done in collaboration with the PI and collaborating campus scientists and utilize specific mouse models.  The junior specialist will also help with lab maintenance, including staying compliant with safety standards and inspections, inventorying lab supplies and completing paperwork.  Additional duties include general laboratory maintenance such as cleaning and sterilizing glassware, media and solution preparation, and maintenance of databases.

The junior specialist is given support and guidance for all assigned work. As the junior specialist gains expertise in experimental skills and makes substantial, novel discoveries, they will be expected to contribute to study design, data interpretation, as well as manuscript preparation and publication. As part of the lab training program, the junior specialist is expected to hone their critical thinking, literature reading and writing skills, as well as to use their creativity when coming up with new ideas and research directions. 

The candidate will also assist the PI in peer review of journal articles, for example, by gathering relevant information from the literature. The position also involves assisting with general lab research operations and training new lab members. The individual hired must have the ability to work as part of a team and be reasonably flexible in working hours in order to accommodate experimental schedules.  They will also participate in scientific discussions in the lab setting, weekly lab meetings and departmental conferences.

2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

The Junior Specialist will be expected to give poster or oral presentations at departmental seminars or journal clubs and at other activities that include symposia.

3.  SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

The Junior Specialist will be expected to train and mentor undergraduate researchers. These students typically help with basic lab tasks and complete small research subprojects. 

*This recruitment is conducted at the junior rank. In general, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with an M.S. or Ph.D. in the relevant discipline or a B.S. degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist as this is an entry level role. 

*A reasonable estimate for this position $26.35 per hour at Step 1 or $28.07 per hour at Step 2 for non-exempt status, and $55,000 per year at Step 1 or $58,600 per year at Step 2 for exempt status.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree inGenetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field. Degree must be awarded before start date. 
• Minimum of 1 year of laboratory research experience, either pre- or post- B.S. degree. 
• Previous research experience in molecular biology assays, such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis. 
• Experience with lab animal (rodent) handling.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills that are needed to maintain databases of inventories and details of multiple simultaneous experiments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Attention to cleanliness and detail sufficient to meet commonly accepted standards of laboratory practice.

*Note: This recruitment is conducted at the junior rank. In general, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with an M.S. or Ph.D. in the relevant discipline, or a B.S. degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience in developmental genetics of vertebrate model organisms   
• Knowledge or experience in data analysis or statistics
• Experience with immunofluorescent labeling of tissues
• Experience in animal behavior studies
• Background in vision science
• Background in histologic analyses of the nervous system

TO APPLY: 

To apply, please go to the following link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07292. This position will remain open until filled. Applications received in Handshake will not be considered. 

Qualified applicants must submit:            

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research - Research statement describing past research experience, skills and interest
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Contact information for 3 references

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About UC Davis

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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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