Junior Specialist : Ocular Astrocyte Biology - Brown Lab

Position overview

Salary range :

• Non-exempt : $26.35 per hour (Step 1) or $28.07 per hour (Step 2)
• Exempt : $55,000 per year (Step 1) or $58,600 per year (Step 2)

Application Window

Open date : September 12, 2025

Most recent review date : Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

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

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 sub-projects.

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.

A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS :

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

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

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter - Summarize your interest in the position, your relevant background, and how your experience aligns with the position.

Research Statement - Describe your past research experience, skills and interests.

Unofficial Transcripts

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

References may come from part-time or full-time employment, internships, or volunteer and paid work experiences. They should be individuals who can speak to your performance, skills, and abilities in a professional setting. Appropriate references include current or former supervisors, faculty mentors, advisors, or other professionals. Please do not list family members, friends, or peers as references. References may be asked to provide letters or may be contacted by phone or email with a consistent set of questions for each candidate.

Please provide the following information for three professional references :

Name

Title

Company or Organization

Email Address

Phone Number

Apply link :

https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07292

Help contact : jstillwell@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.

Job location

Davis, CA