Junior Specialist (Al-Bassam Lab)
Position overview
Junior Specialist NEX: A reasonable estimate for this position is $26.35/hr at Step 1 or $28.07/hr at step 2
Application Window
Open date: September 22, 2025
Next review date: Tuesday, Oct 7, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 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
The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for one Junior Specialist in Molecular and Structural biology.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Research (90%):
This position will be involved in interdisciplinary biochemical and structural biology studies focusing the mechanism of microtubule regulatory assemblies in regulating the polymerization of dynamic and cytoplasmic microtubules. The candidate will baculovirus mediated insect cell expression to produce and isolate multi-subunit recombinant protein complexes and reconstitute these complexes with tubulin or dynamic microtubules. The candidate will use biochemical reconstitution approaches such as total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy methods to visualize and assay microtubule polymerization and study the activities of purified regulatory assemblies and their impact on tubulin polymerization into microtubules. The candidate should have expertise in structure determination methodology using cryo-electron microscopy and single particle structure determination methods. The candidate will also contribute to lab maintenance and upkeep.
Service (5%):
The candidate will provide mentorship for undergraduate students in the lab and provide basic training and maintaining lab stocks and databases.
Professional Competence (5%):
Finally, the candidate will carry-out data analyses, prepare figures, and assist writing manuscripts for publication and grant proposals, as well as presenting their research in regular group meetings. The ideal candidate will have a prior background in structural biology research and strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
TO APPLY: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07319
Qualified applicants should upload a cover letter, research statement describing their research experience and skills, curriculum vitae. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files. Applicants should also provide contact information for two references.
Questions: Please direct questions to Dr. Jawdat Al-Bassam, jmalbassam@ucdavis.edu
Qualifications
Bachelor degree in biological science or a related field, with some lab experience. Experience in protein expression using baculovirus expression. Experience in protein purification is required for the reconstitution and purification of multiprotein complexes using affinity, ion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography, and sucrose density gradients. The candidate must have extensive experience in maintaining eukaryotic cell cultures for protein expression, including insect (Tn5 and Sf9) cells. Must be able to keep a complete and detailed laboratory notebook of experimental procedures and be able to document graphic and tabular data for publication, proposals, and/or presentations. Experience with software programs including Excel and sequence programs is a plus.
Previous experience or coursework in studying genetics. 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.
Application Requirements
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
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.
- 2 required (contact information only)
Help contact: kkeehn@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.
- “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.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
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.
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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.
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