Jr Specialist - Bers x2 - 2026

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology invites applications for two full-time Junior Specialist positions in cardiovascular research. Appointments are up to two years, 100% research with 90% focus on lab work and 10% on professional competence and public service.

Candidates will work in a large lab under Dr. Bers, performing animal model studies, molecular biology, and various functional assays, with opportunities to present findings and contribute to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required by start date.
• One year of laboratory experience or equivalent.
• Ability to organize tasks and communicate effectively in multiple formats.

Responsibilities

• Participate in laboratory studies under supervision.
• Prepare cardiac cells from small animals for experiments.
• Manage mouse colonies and genotyping.
• Maintain cell cultures and perform molecular biology experiments.
• Share lab maintenance duties and safety training.
• Engage in scientific discussions and present findings.

Skills

Lab experience

Time management

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/biochemistry/neuroscience/animal science/biomedical engineering/genetics

Tools

Pre-purchasing System

Learning Management System

Office software (Word/Excel)

Job description

Position overview

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

Application Window

Open date: February 1, 2026

Most recent review date: Sunday, Mar 1, 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.

Position description

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 Specialist appointees will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions within this sub-specialty. Junior Specialists will devote 90% of time to research and related activities, and 10% to professional competence and public service, as described below. Junior Specialist positions are short term, two-year maximum appointments made to help meet the needs of laboratory and department research projects. 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), we undertake a diversity of research activities and engage in numerous collaborations. Our goal is to investigate at cellular level the regulation of the heart, comparing normal with dysfunctional responses. We use animal disease models with pathologies such as heart failure or arrhythmias. We study processes related to both acute function (excitation-contraction coupling) and gene expression (excitation-transcription coupling). We focus on cell signaling molecules such as protein kinases, as well as membrane ion channels, transporters and pumps, along with energetics and mitochondria. Complementing our functional analyses, we aim to understand structural determinants such as post-transitional modification, translocation, assembly or polymerization of proteins. We characterize mechanisms and molecules with the intention that they may be identified and validated as therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart disease.

Candidates' responsibilities:

• Research (90%): Successful candidates will participate in laboratory studies, assisting principal investigators (PI), senior investigators, postdoctoral researchers and/or graduate students. The incumbent will actively participate in creative activities including research presentation and publications. In addition, the incumbent will analyze and organize data that contributes to the writing of manuscripts suitable for publication. Candidates will participate in scientific discussions in the lab setting, weekly lab meetings and the monthly departmental science in progress talks.
• The candidate will assist the PI and support the laboratory research in multiple ways, including:
• Preparation of cardiac myocytes from small animals (rats, rabbits, mice) using approved protocols, for use in acute experiments.
• Management (including selective breeding and genotyping) of mouse colonies representing various 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 and/or dietary or drug intervention.
• Molecular biology experiments: Western blotting, PCR, recombinant protein expression and analysis; work with adenoviral constructs.
• Functional experiments on cells and tissues using diverse techniques such as live or fixed imaging, fluorescence assays or electrophysiology.
• Related activities in which specialists participate also include:
• Shared lab maintenance duties: ordering and stocking of supplies, cleaning / sanitization, record keeping.
• Completing all required safety training
• Informal scientific discussions within the lab and progress reports, university symposia, poster presentation sessions, or even regional, national or international scientific meetings.
• Professional Competence (5%): The candidate will be encouraged to participate in weekly lab meetings, attend weekly seminars/conferences, and contribute towards weekly journal clubs and other activities, as applicable within the Department of Pharmacology.
• Public Service (5%): The candidate is expected to contribute to University and Public service by mentoring undergraduate students, disseminating of experimental procedures/technical expertise to other research groups, and consulting with IACUC and safety committees on campus.
• Potential hazards in the laboratory may include human and animal tissue, adenoviruses and some carcinogenic, acutely toxic or corrosive substances. Personal protective measures, along with training and supervision, are provided. The laboratory operates in full compliance with all regulatory bodies' mandates.

Department: https://health.ucdavis.edu/pharmacology/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

A bachelor's degree in a field related to our research is required by the start date of this position. Example fields include biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, animal science, biomedical engineering or genetics. Laboratory experience equivalent to one year, for instance as an undergraduate researcher. Experience in or related to ONE or MORE of the above listed priority research activities where our need is greatest. Ability to organize tasks and manage time. Ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, virtually (on-line) and by telephone. Willingness to work either interactively or independently within a large diverse lab group. Attention to cleanliness and detail sufficient to meet commonly accepted standards of laboratory practice. Willingness to adhere to UC Davis mandated laboratory safety and ethics standards.

Additional qualifications

• Basic knowledge of UC Davis management and compliance tools such as the Pre-purchasing System or Learning Management System.
• Familiarity with computer software for office productivity (word processing, spreadsheet); graphing, statistical analysis.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• 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.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Davis

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 applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affi...

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Davis, CA