Jr Specialist - Bers x2

Position overview

Salary range: $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2.

Application window:
Open date February 1, 2026;
Final date December 31, 2026.

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology invites applications for two (2) fulltime Junior Specialist positions in the sub‑specialty area of cardiovascular research. Junior Specialists will devote 90% of their time to research and related activities, and 10% to professional competence and public service. Positions are short‑term, two‑year maximum appointments to help meet the needs of laboratory and department research projects.

The appointments are 100% (full‑time).

These positions are tenable in the laboratory of Dr. Donald M. Bers, Distinguished Professor and Department Chair. As a large laboratory (20–25 members), the research focuses on cellular regulation of the heart, comparing normal and dysfunctional responses, using animal disease models such as heart failure or arrhythmias. The lab studies excitation‑contraction coupling, excitation‑transcription coupling, cell signaling molecules, membrane ion channels, transporters, pumps, energetics, mitochondria, structural determinants, and translational work to identify therapeutic targets.

Research (90 %):
Successful candidates will participate in laboratory studies, assisting PIs, senior investigators, postdoctoral researchers, and/or graduate students. They will actively participate in creative activities including research presentations and publications, and analyze and organize data that contributes to manuscript writing. They will engage in scientific discussions in the lab setting, weekly lab meetings and monthly departmental science‑in‑progress talks.

Daily tasks include:

• Preparation of cardiac myocytes from small animals (rats, rabbits, mice) using approved protocols for acute experiments;
• Management, selective breeding and genotyping of mouse colonies representing gene‑altered models relevant to heart disease;
• Maintenance of cell cultures, including adult differentiated cells in primary culture, stem cells (iPSC), and immortalized cell lines;
• Generation and monitoring of specific animal heart‑failure models by surgical, dietary, or drug intervention;
• Performing molecular biology experiments:
  Western blotting, PCR, recombinant protein expression and analysis, and work with adenoviral constructs;
• Functional experiments on cells and tissues using live or fixed imaging, fluorescence assays, or electrophysiology;
• Ordering and stocking supplies, cleaning/sanitization, and record keeping for shared lab maintenance duties;
• Completing all required safety training;
• Participating in informal scientific discussions, university symposia, poster presentation sessions, and regional, national, or international scientific meetings;

Professional Competence (5 %):
Weekly participation in lab meetings, seminars/conferences, journal clubs, and other Department of Pharmacology activities.

Public Service (5 %):
Mentoring undergraduate students, disseminating technical expertise to other groups, and consulting with the IACUC and safety committees.

Potential hazards include human and animal tissue, adenoviruses, and carcinogenic, acutely toxic, or corrosive substances. Personal protective measures, training, and supervision are provided. The laboratory operates in full compliance with all regulatory mandates.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, animal science, biomedical engineering, genetics, or a related field;
• One year of laboratory experience (e.g., undergraduate researcher);
• Experience in or related to one or more of the priority research activities listed above;
• Ability to organize tasks and manage time;
• Strong communication skills in writing, in person, virtually, and by telephone;
• Willingness to work interactively or independently within a large, diverse lab group;
• Attention to cleanliness and detail meeting laboratory standards;
• Willingness to adhere to UC Davis laboratory safety and ethics standards.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Basic…