Junior Specialist: Cardiovascular Physiology - Santana Lab
Listed on 2026-02-06
-
Research/Development
Research Assistant/Associate, Clinical Research, Biology, Research Scientist
Position overview
Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is:
Non-exempt: $26.35 per hour (Step
1) or $28.07 per hour (Step
2)
Open date: January 30, 2026
Next review date: Saturday, Feb 14, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Saturday, Feb 28, 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 descriptionThe Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire a Junior Specialist (40% effort) in Dr. Santana's lab. This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in cardiovascular physiology.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE
The Junior Specialist has the general duties of working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) in supporting multiple research projects. The junior specialist may assist in data collection, quality control, study design and implementation, cell culture, management of animal colony, genotyping, for a particular project. The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. L. Fernando Santana and work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.
Successful candidates are expected to participate in three major categories of activities listed below:
The incumbent will collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities investigating cardiac and smooth muscle. The overarching goal of the Santana Lab is to improve the basic science understanding of topics relevant to cardiovascular health and disease. These topics include pace making, vascular support of cardiac function, regulation of ventricular contraction, bioenergetics, and systemic physiological changes during hypertension and heart failure.
Experimental procedures performed by the Junior Specialist will include mouse colony management (incl. tagging and genotyping), tissue sectioning and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, confocal imaging and quantitative image analysis, single-cell RNA-seq, as well as 2D cell line and 3D organoid culture (incl. maintaining stocks of lines), cell culture. Other techniques that may be carried out by the Junior Specialist include spatial transcriptomics, in situ hybridization (RNAScope), PCR and gel electrophoresis, immunoprecipitation, Western blot, and plasmid DNA cloning and purification.
A key role for the Junior Specialist is to process animal and reagents orders as well as general lab duties.
This position requires careful attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, eager to learn, and adaptable. In addition, the ideal candidate will have strong logistical and time-management skills, be able to prioritize projects, exhibit perseverance and self-improvement through challenges, and be willing to work collaboratively with other team members and with outside laboratories.
The Junior Specialist will have the opportunity to attend conferences, participate in departmental and other relevant seminar series, journal clubs, and other pertinent activities.
The Junior Specialist may be expected to provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants that rotate through the lab. They will be expected to participate and contribute to laboratory and group meetings, and other activities, as applicable.
* This recruitment is conducted at the junior rank. The resulting hire will be at the junior rank regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.
QualificationsBasic qualifications (required at time of application)
* Bachelor's degree in the biological sciences (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related discipline). Degree must be awarded before start date.
- * Outstanding organizational skills and accurate record keeping capabilities
- * Strong interpersonal and decision-making…
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