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Junior Specialist: Vascular Biology - Beleford Lab

Position overview

Salary range: Non-exempt: $26.35 per hour (Step 1) or $28.07 per hour (Step 2)

Application Window

Open date: February 3, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Mar 9, 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

The Beleford Lab within the Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a 50% Junior Specialist(s) in the vascular biology and human genetics. Junior Specialist positions are short-term appointments, up to two-years.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE
The Junior Specialist has the general duties of working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) in the planning and execution of research projects. The junior specialist may assist in data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, literature reviews and data analysis for preparation of manuscripts or conference presentations, and writing conference abstracts and manuscripts (e.g., methods and results sections, table, and
figure generation) for a particular project.

Successful candidates are expected to participate in three major categories of activities listed below:

  1. RESEARCH (85% EFFORT) The Junior Specialist will work collaboratively with the Principal Investigator (PI), and other research personnel, on studies related to developmental malformations of arteries, veins, and lymphatics. They will carry out technical and routine laboratory tasks necessary to support the research project(s) in specialized areas. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing, maintaining, and keeping an inventory of transgenic mouse colonies including tagging, tail-snipping, and genotyping mice, crossbreeding to generate specific genetic lines, intraperitoneal and intragastric injections, and assisting with harvesting mouse tissues for analysis.
• Other responsibilities include establishing endothelial cell lines from harvested mouse and human tissues, inventorying frozen stocks, and maintaining these lines in culture.
• Molecular techniques that may be carried out by the Junior Specialist include immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry, fluorescent imaging and light microscopy, RNAScope, immunoprecipitation, Western analysis, and proximity ligation assay.
• The Junior Specialist is encouraged to lead at least one independent research projects with input from the PI and opportunities for publication. The specialist is also expected to contribute to writing and reviewing manuscripts in preparation. The ideal candidate will be motivated, detail-oriented, have strong analytical and time-management skills, and be capable of working collaboratively with others.
• They will review journal manuscripts related to vascular biology and human genetics.

  1. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% EFFORT)
    • The appointee will engage in dissemination of research beyond the campus, such as through presentations or participation in relevant professional societies or groups.
    • They are also expected to contribute to departmental seminars, journal clubs, and other academic activities, as applicable.

  2. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
    The Junior Specialist may be expected to mentor undergraduate research assistants who rotate through the lab. They will also be expected to actively participate in regular lab meetings, group discussions, and other relevant activities.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Genetics or related field. Degree must be awarded before start date. Applicants with an M.S. or Ph.D. will not be considered, as this is an entry-level role.
• Minimum 1 year experience in laboratory research either before or after the degree. Applicants should have no more than 2 years of post-bachelor’s laboratory research experience.
• Research experience in molecular biology, cell biology.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make critical decisions
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

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

• Experience in bioinformatics, mouse handling is preferred but not required.

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.

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07490

Help contact: qrush@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 is also a national leader in inclusive practice. 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