Junior Specialist (Ori-McKenney Lab 2026)

University of California; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis invites applications for a Junior Specialist in molecular biology and biochemistry focusing on tau physiology and pathology. The role includes maintaining Drosophila stocks, performing assays to study neurodegeneration, and analyzing tau phosphorylation states using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.

You will review literature, help design experiments, and present findings in group meetings while contributing to manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience or cell biology with lab experience.
• Experience in Drosophila husbandry, Drosophila behavioral assays and/or dissections.
• Experience with confocal microscopy and data analysis; ability to maintain a complete and detailed laboratory notebook.
• Proficiency with Excel and GraphPad Prism is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Research (90%): maintain Drosophila stocks and perform assays to assess neurodegeneration; biochemically analyze tau phosphorylation via SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.
• Review literature, design experiments, and test hypotheses with the PI.
• Present work in lab meetings and assist in manuscript preparation.
• Service (10%): train/mentor undergraduates and other lab members; help maintain lab operations and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Drosophila husbandry

Drosophila behavioral assays

Drosophila dissections

Confocal microscopy

Data analysis

Laboratory notebook/documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience or cell biology

Tools

Excel

GraphPad Prism

Job description

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.

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Kassandra Ori-McKenney ([e-mail])

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.