Junior Specialist (Fraser Lab 2026)

University of California; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a Junior Specialist focused on molecular mechanisms regulating eukaryotic protein synthesis. The role emphasizes protein kinases, translation initiation, and recombinant protein work in insect cells, with supplementary bacterial expression as needed.

Responsibilities include experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and collaboration with researchers; 25% service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Participate in studies on molecular mechanisms regulating eukaryotic protein synthesis.
• Investigate kinases and signaling pathways that regulate translation initiation.
• Express and purify recombinant proteins and multiprotein complexes for biochemical studies.
• Perform recombinant protein expression in insect cells using baculovirus systems; culture optimization and purification.
• Maintain laboratory records and contribute to data presentation and manuscripts.
• Train undergraduate researchers and junior lab members in established techniques and safety practices.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Prioritization

Independent & collaborative work

Data documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or related field

Tools

SDS-PAGE

Western blotting

Cloning

DNA preparation

Protein expression & purification

Job description

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for one Junior Specialist position in the area of molecular mechanisms regulating eukaryotic protein synthesis.

Position Description

Research (75%)

The Junior Specialist will participate in studies examining the molecular mechanisms regulating eukaryotic protein synthesis, with particular emphasis on protein kinases and signaling pathways that regulate translation initiation.

The position will involve expression and purification of recombinant proteins and multiprotein complexes for biochemical studies of translation regulation and protein kinase activity. A major component of the position will involve recombinant protein expression in insect cells using baculovirus-based expression systems, including optimization and large-scale culture of insect cells, expression of individual proteins and multiprotein complexes, and subsequent protein purification and biochemical characterization. The Junior Specialist may also use bacterial protein-expression systems.

The Junior Specialist will use standard protein biochemical and molecular biology techniques, including SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, cloning, DNA preparation, and related methods. The position will also involve maintenance and experimental manipulation of mammalian cell lines and preparation of materials and cell extracts for biochemical and cell-based studies.

The Junior Specialist will work closely with the Principal Investigator and other laboratory researchers in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing and documenting experimental results, reviewing relevant scientific literature, and preparing data and figures for presentations and publications. The Junior Specialist will attend and present research at laboratory meetings and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication.

Service (25%)

The Junior Specialist will assist the Principal Investigator and other laboratory researchers with the general operation of the laboratory and execution of ongoing research projects. Responsibilities will include maintaining laboratory stocks and resources, preparing common laboratory reagents, maintaining cell-culture and protein-expression resources, ordering and organizing laboratory supplies, maintaining laboratory records, and helping ensure that laboratory safety requirements are met.

The Junior Specialist will also assist in training undergraduate researchers and other junior laboratory members in established laboratory techniques and safe laboratory practices.

Bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related field, with previous laboratory research experience in molecular biology, cell biology, protein biochemistry, or a related area. The candidate should have strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills, the ability to prioritize responsibilities, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. The candidate must be able to maintain complete and detailed laboratory records, document data for publication and/or presentation, and learn new experimental techniques.