Junior Specialist Immature Gut Biology Group; Pediatrics​/NeonatalGastrointestinal Physiology and Immunology

Position overview Salary range: A reasonable estimate of this position is $55, 000 annually at Step 1.
A reasonable estimate of this position is $58,600 annually at Step 2.
Review timeline:5/18/2026-5/29/2026 Application Window

Open date: May 15, 2026

Most recent review date: Monday, Jun 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

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.

JUNIOR SPECIALIST - IMMATURE GUT BIOLOGY COLLABORATIVE
The Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for 1 full-time Junior Specialist in neonatal gastrointestinal physiology and immunology.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE
The Junior Specialist will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) to plan and execute research projects, and to assist with data collection, quality control, literature reviews, and data analysis. The Junior Specialist will work under the supervision of Dr. Geoanna Bautista and must demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The candidate will join Dr. Bautista's research team, which investigates neonatal gut dysfunction and dysmotility. The lab focuses on mechanobiology and ion channel signaling (e.g., Piezo1-mediated) that control normal gastrointestinal development and motility, and on how these processes are disrupted in utero by insults such as chorioamnionitis and congenital anomalies (e.g., gastroschisis) and further compromised by preterm birth. The central premise is that early disruption of mechanosensitive and ion channel signaling in the developing intestine sets the stage for postnatal gut dysmotility and dysfunction in the neonate.

To address this, the lab integrates in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro approaches using transgenic and experimental mouse models and, through active collaborations, extends this work to surgically obtained human neonatal intestinal tissue and large-animal models (lambs, primates). The long-term goal is to define how immature or impaired development of the small intestine predisposes neonates to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating and often deadly disease affecting preterm and a subset of term infants, and to identify smooth muscle and mucosal signaling pathways that could open up novel pathways for future therapeutic strategies at the bedside.

I. RESEARCH (80% Effort)
A. The Junior Specialist will collaborate with research personnel in neonatal gastrointestinal physiology, mechanobiology and ion channel signaling. Specific duties include:
a. Plan and execute research projects involving wire myography, live calcium imaging, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence imaging in neonatal intestinal tissue and smooth muscle preparations.
b. Perform ex vivo wire myography of intestinal smooth muscle preparations, including tissue dissection, mounting, force transduction, and pharmacological challenge protocols.
c. Perform and optimize live calcium imaging experiments using fluorescent calcium indicators (e.g., Fluo-4, Fura-2, GCaMP) on ex vivo intestinal tissue and isolated smooth muscle cells.
d. Perform immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining of intestinal tissue sections and cells, with imaging on widefield fluorescence, confocal, and multiphoton microscopy platforms and quantitative analysis using ImageJ/Fiji or Imaris.
e. Handle live neonatal and adult mice, including oral gavage, intraperitoneal injections, genotyping support, and necropsies to obtain intestinal tissue and cells for further processing.
f. Perform molecular and biochemical assays, including cell dissociations, western blots, RNA/protein extraction, and PCR/RT-PCR.
B. In addition, the Junior Specialist will also be expected to contribute to the general maintenance of and workflow of the lab, including:
a. Manage datasets, records, and research documentation, including raw data files, protocols, and analysis pipelines.
b. Maintain laboratory equipment (e.g., balances, centrifuges, microscopes, pipettes, cryostat, laminar flow hoods) and keep work areas clean, stocked, and free of contamination.
c. Update standard laboratory procedures (SOPs) as needed, and assist with data archiving, data summaries, and manuscript preparation and submission.
d. Other related duties as assigned.
C. The Junior Specialist will also assist with grant preparation, create figures and graphics for publications, and review journal manuscripts relevant to neonatal gut physiology.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (10% Effort)
The Junior Specialist will actively disseminate research findings at professional and technical society meetings beyond the UC Davis campus and contribute to the scholarly…