Junior Specialist; Ori-McKenney Lab

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000 at Step 1 (@ 100%) or $60,700 at Step 2 (@ 100%).
Junior Specialist NEX: A reasonable estimate for this position is $27.30/hr at Step 1 or $29.08/hr at step 2.

Open date:
September 1, 2026

Next review date:
Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date:
Thursday, Dec 31, 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.

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

POSITION

DESCRIPTION:

Research (90%)
This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on tau physiology and pathology, with the goal of understanding how tau functions at the molecular level and how it aggregates to cause neurodegenerative disease. The successful candidate will maintain Drosophila stocks and perform necessary assays to induce and assess neurodegeneration, as well as analyze samples biochemically for different tau phosphorylation states using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.

In addition, the candidate is expected to review the scientific literature and, in conjunction with the Principal Investigator, formulate new hypotheses, design experiments to test those hypotheses, and conduct the resulting experiments. The candidate will also be expected to present their work in lab and group research meetings, contribute to the preparation of figures, and assist in the writing of manuscripts for publication.

Service (10%)
The Junior Specialist will be expected to help train and mentor undergraduates, as well as other laboratory members. Additional responsibilities will include contributing to the overall operation of the laboratory, maintaining a clean work environment, and ensuring compliance with all safety regulations.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a research statement describing their past research experience, skills and interests, and a curriculum vitae. 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. For more information about the department, please visit the website:
Molecular and Cellular Biology

QUESTIONS:
Please direct questions to Kassandra Ori-McKenney (kmorimckenney)

Basic qualifications
Bachelor's degree in neuroscience or cell biology with lab experience. Experience must include Drosophila husbandry, Drosophila behavioral assays and/or Drosophila dissections, experience with confocal microscopy, and data analysis. Must be able to keep a complete and detailed laboratory notebook of experimental procedures and be able to document graphic and tabular data for publication, proposals, and/or presentations. Experience with software programs including Excel and Graphpad Prism is a plus.

Preferred qualifications
Previous experience or coursework in studying traumatic brain injury and neurodegeneration. 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.

• 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.

• 2 required (contact information only)

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.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the…