Junior Specialist (McKenney Lab)

Position overview

Salary range :

A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1 (@ 100%) or $58,600 at Step 2 (@ 100%)

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 4, 2025

Most recent review date : Friday, Sep 19, 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

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for Junior Specialist positions in Biochemistry and Biophysics.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Research (80%)

• This position will participate in interdisciplinary studies on cytoskeletal motor proteins and mitotic spindle assembly using in vitro reconstitution, biochemical, and single-molecule imaging approaches.
• Responsibilities include designing and cloning DNA constructs, recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial / insect systems, and executing TIRF-based assays to quantify dynein, KIF11 / Eg5, and KIF15 activities and force balance in reconstituted microtubule networks.
• The appointee will review relevant literature and, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and senior staff, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and perform quantitative analyses to address the project's specific aims on spindle bipolarity and motor antagonism / compensation.
• The appointee will present results at lab and group meetings, maintain rigorous electronic / lab notebooks, contribute to figure preparation, and assist in manuscript drafting as data mature.

Service (20%)

TERM OF APPOINTMENT

TO APPLY : please go to the following link :

https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07295

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a research statement describing past research experience, skills, and interests, and a curriculum vitae as PDF files; provide contact information for two references.

QUESTIONS

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Preferred qualifications

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

Application Requirements

Document 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 .

Reference requirements

Apply link :

https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07295

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.

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