Junior Specialist - Dr. Marsh-Armstrong Lab, UC Davis Eye Center

Position overview

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

Open date: February 19, 2026

Next review date: Saturday, Mar 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Feb 18, 2027 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.

Junior Specialist Position

Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science

UC Davis School of Medicine

The laboratory of Dr. Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong conducts basic science research involving retinal and optic nerve cellular and molecular biology, genome engineering, and imaging experiments principally in Xenopus laevis, but also in other vertebrate animals including mice and non-human primates. The laboratory also manages the Tupper Hall Xenopus Facility, and official UC Davis Animal Facility.

Major Responsibilities & Designated Areas of Expertise :

I. Research in Specialized Areas (85% EFFORT)

• Participate in planning, execution, and presentation of experiments involving cellular and molecular biology, protein biochemistry, histology and animal surgery as well as imaging.
• Perform laboratory managerial duties, including ordering, updating of inventories, managing compliance with regulatory requirements, and assisting with maintenance of equipment and supplies.
• Take leadership role in care of frog colony, with assistance of other lab personnel.
• Independently carry out experiments related to an assigned project or projects.
• Assist in activities related to research being carried out by others in the lab, as needed.
• Attend and occasionally present at a weekly lab meeting held together with other laboratories.
• Generate novel DNA reagents by molecular biology.
• Generate genetically modified Xenopus.
• Maintain careful records of all experiments.
• Communicate with various University entities.
• Communicate with other laboratories and/or sponsors if needed.

General Responsibilities:

• Educate and mentor volunteer and students in the laboratory as required.
• Establish and maintain lines of genetically modified frogs.
• Prepare reagents and maintain facilities.
• Update/modify standard laboratory and animal facility procedures.
• Ensure regulatory deadlines are met.

II. Professional Competence & Activity (10% EFFORT)

• Prepare manuscripts for publications in collaboration with the principal investigator. Manuscript preparation will include reviewing relevant literature, describing methods and results used to acquire the data, presenting and analyzing retrieved data, constructing clear and informative figures, interpreting the results and discussing how they fit in with the current understanding of the field.
• Present research findings to a larger audience at scientific conferences or meetings. The incumbent will also assist in presenting progress reports and final summaries to granting agencies as well as to lab meetings and other meetings inside and out of UC Davis.
• Mentor undergraduate students and help mentor graduate students, including rotation students, from UC Davis.
• Actively contribute to lab activities through staff meetings and presentations to colleagues and researchers from various scientific communities.

III. University & Public Service (5 % EFFORT)

• Participate in activities in this domain as deemed appropriate and as recommended by PI.

Skills/

Qualifications:

• High degree of self-motivation and attention to detail.
• Good organization skills.
• Some molecular biology and/or other laboratory experience.
• Some experience working with research animals.
• Able to learn new software applications to support research studies.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of one year of experience in undergraduate laboratory research.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to mentor undergraduates in the lab.

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• 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.
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
07450

Help contact: ambellmer

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…