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Junior Specialist - Dandekar Lab

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $53,100 at Step 1 or $56,600 at Step 2

Application Window

Open date: May 28, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, Jun 12, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Laboratory Research (90%)
The candidate will be responsible for research in infectious diseases, immunology and microbiome. Successful candidates will participate in performing molecular techniques such as RNA/DNA extraction, large-scale sample repository and maintenance, Real Time PCR Assays and gene expression Analysis. General responsibilities include: perform histology and immunochemistry, assist in tissue processing, participate in animal studies, processing of human patient samples, use tissue culture models to perform experiments using molecular biology, immunochemistry and imaging, transcriptional analysis, and cell cultures. This position will be expected to assist in the preparation of BUA and animal use protocols, maintain lab safety protocols, manage specimen inventory, data input/storage, and maintaining an inventory of supplies and placing requests for orders to the business office. The candidate will record, analyze, and compile data as well as complete data uploads to appropriate Laboratory Information Systems. They will be expected to aid in troubleshooting and analysis of findings and work closely with research team members. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

Professional Competence (5%):
The candidate will be expected to attend lab meetings and when appropriate, will present data to their laboratory peers and will contribute to scholarly articles by providing their research findings, data, and write-ups on the work performed and may participate in writing manuscript portions in relation to their research findings. The candidate will review scholarly literature to improve or learn about methods for the project that are needed for ongoing projects and will participate in local conferences and joint lab meetings.

Service (5%):
The candidate will also provide University/public service by providing mentorship of undergraduate students, guiding them in laboratory safety and training in work and data analysis.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology or a related field with prior laboratory experience. Must exhibit professional approach to work and attention to detail.

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

Coursework and/or experience to perform molecular biology techniques. Experience in developing or adapting experimental tools and assays. Experience with large-scale sample repository and maintenance. Computer skills and experience for scientific data entry and usage is also preferred.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07133

Help contact: mjwilken@ucdavis.edu

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.

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.
UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, CA