Burgess Lab Junior Specialist

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for 1 Junior Specialist position in molecular and cellular biology. 

Position Description:

Research (80%) This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on meiotic chromosome dynamics in the zebrafish Danio rerio. The successful candidate will use fixed cell imaging techniques on chromosome spreads and whole mount preparations in wild-type and mutant cells and tissues to study the function of the synaptonemal complex. The candidate will also carry out assays to test reproductive toxicants on oogenesis. In addition, the candidate is expected to review the scientific literature, and in conjunction with the Principal investigator formulate new hypotheses, design new experiments to test those hypotheses and conduct the newly designed experiments. The candidate will present their work at lab and group research meetings, as well as help prepare figures and assist in writing manuscripts for publication. 

Service (20%) The Junior Specialist will be expected to help train and mentor undergraduates, graduate students, and other lab members, and will be expected to help with the overall running of the lab, including ordering, cleaning, and ensuring that safety regulations are met. The candidate is also expected to engage in maintenance of zebrafish lines in the zebrafish facility including genotype analysis.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor’s degree in genetics, cell and molecular biology, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a research laboratory using animal models, preferably zebrafish, with demonstrated proficiency in genotyping, tissue preparation, immunofluorescence microscopy, image analysis using ImageJ or similar platforms, and statistical analysis using Prism or R. The candidate must be able to keep a complete a detailed laboratory notebook of experimental procedures and be able to document graphic and tabular data for publication, proposals, and/or presentations.

Preferred qualifications

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.

Salary Range:

Junior Specialist: A reasonable estimate for this position is $51,300 at Step 1 (@ 100%) or $54,600 at Step 2 (@ 100%)

Junior Specialist NEX: A reasonable estimate for this position is $24.57/hr at Step 1 or $26.15/hr at step 2

Position Available/Closing Date:

For full consideration applications should be received by August 3, 2023. Position will remain open until filled.

Term of Appointment:

Short term, maximum two-year appointment based
on the needs of the research project. Appointments may be made up to 100%. The expected start date is August 2023.

Apply:

To apply, please use UC Davis Recruit 

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a research statement describing their past research experience, skills and interests, a curriculum vitae, and unofficial transcript. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files. Applicants should also provide contact information for two references. All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. 

Questions:

Please direct questions to Dr. Sean Burgess, smburgess@ucdavis.edu.