Junior Specialist - Silverman Lab

University of California - Davis; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist in the Silverman Lab within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The role focuses on translational neuroscience using in vitro and in vivo preclinical models to study neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and intellectual disability.

You will contribute to multidisciplinary research and career development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Macros.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with PI and team.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous recordkeeping.

Responsibilities

• Understand general lab procedures and sterile techniques.
• Support interdisciplinary translational neuroscience studies using preclinical models.
• Maintain lab records, manage data, and assist with grant-related tasks.
• Contribute to tissue collection, genotyping, RT-PCR, and western blot processes.
• Assist with protocol development, safety inspections, and equipment maintenance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Independent work

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000/year at Step 1 and $60,700/year for Step 2 Jr. Specialist exempt, $27.30 hourly for Step 1 and $29.08 hourly for Step 2 for Jr. Specialist non-exempt.

Application Window

Open date: October 5, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist for the Silverman Lab.

This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions towards advancing translation for rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders in neuroscience. Successful candidates will also participate in career building opportunities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBLITIES

The incumbent for this position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in translational neuroscience using in vitro and in vivo preclinical model systems of neurodevelopmental disorders. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work with preclinical cellular and rodent models of genetic neurodevelopmental disorders as well as environmental exposures that impair neurological and neuropsychiatric health. The incumbent will provide technical support and will actively participate in the research for grants funded by the National Institutes of Health and private foundations.

The incumbent will contribute to maintaining efficient laboratory management and workflow, ordering, grant writing, leading annual inspections for biological and chemical safety and manuscript preparation.

The Silverman Lab conducts in vitro and in vivo preclinical model systems of neurodevelopmental disorders including rodent behavior, neurophysiological and anatomical analyses of preclinical cellular and rodent models of human neurological and neuropsychitric disorders, with a large focus of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) defined by autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability disorders (DD) and pediatric epilepsy. Tasks that measure learning and memory, neurological evaluations, sensory, motor, anxiety-related, sleep, seizures, and other abnormalities in vivo. RNA and protein quantification, drug administration, neuronal imaging and analysis, in vitro are additional components of the position.

This position is through the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, in association with the UC Davis MIND Institute.

I. RESEARCH ACTIVITY (70% EFFORT)

• Understanding of general laboratory procedures including sterile techniques, preparation of analytical reagents, small animal work, tissue dissection for cell culture work and biological assays, and use of analytical laboratory equipment.
• Ability to independently and proactively gather research information that will allow for forward progress and problem solving in the laboratory.
• Work successfully among a fast paced competitive, interdisciplinary team.
• Breeding of genetically modified mice, basic rodent husbandry, and tissue dissection.
• Harvest tissue from genetic models and environmental exposure models.
• Harvest tissue from genetic models and environmental exposure models to plate and generate primary neuronal culture models.
• Be responsible for information critical to maintaining live mutant rodent colonies, and maintaining primary neuronal cultures, with outstanding, organized records.
• Utilize fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells and iPSC differentiated neurons.
• Assist and Perform genotyping subjects with a high level of knowledge of DNA extraction and PCR procedures.
• Perform rtPCR for RNA, and western blotting for protein and troubleshooting of these biological assays.
• Analyzing physiological and biological data.
• Data management, processing, and statistical analysis of experimental data.
• Flexibility with time and research project focus areas.
• Writing experimental methods, data graphics, and statistical software.

II. LABORATORY OVERSIGHT (20% EFFORT)

• Work with PI to track grant budgets.
• Take regular inventory of supplies, prepare orders, and keep track of purchases.
• Keep administration paperwork for laboratory safety and animal care and use records.
• Prepare for laboratory inspections and liaison with inspectors.
• Ensuring adherence to IACUC protocols, and Laboratory and chemical safety Inventories and Inspections.
• Maintaining laboratory cleanliness and organization.
• Contribute to designing new testing protocols, maintaining, and repairing equipment, and overseeing that the physical space used by the research program is in good order.

III. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

• Participate in lab meetings by sharing and discussing data , journal articles and communicate lab needs and requiremnts to the team.
• Preparation of text and data as figures for grant applications and for publication.
• Review of research proposals, journal manuscripts, and other publications.
• Present research at local and/or international scientific conferences (at the discretion of the PI).
• Represent the laboratory for inspections with a broad variety type of inspections.

IV. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

• Liaison with funding agencies and parent foundations, representing the Silverman lab Team.
• Meet with other external groups on issues related to the lab's area of expertise.
• Perform tours of the laboratory to community members and patient advocacy teams.
• Be actively involved in the scientific components of the research program through contributions to laboratory meetings, MIND Institute meetings, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and interactions with visiting scientists and parents/family members of affected individuals.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a biological sciences or related field.
• Proficient computer skills using word processing, excel worksbooks and Macros and the entire Microsoft suite.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, excellent verbal communication and maintain outstanding written communication with PI.
• Proficient in PubMed and identifying appropriate prior research that has been performed and published relevant oto the lab's work.
• Proficient in PubMed and identifying research that has optimize Methodologies that need to be implemented for experiments in the lab and for the lab's workflow.
• Significant experience in tissue collection, genotyping, PCR, and biology assays.
• Superior attention to detail and diligent recordkeeping in hardcopy form via a lab notebook and digitally to share with the lab members/team and/or PI, individually.
• Strong organization and preparation, ability to work in a demanding environment are essential.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to work independently after thorough training, but also as a key member of the team.
• A strong desire for a future career in biomedical science, research or medicine.

Preferred qualifications

• Background in a biological sciences background and biological chemicals (e.g., preparing and diluting analytical reagents, use of analytical laboratory equipment, sterile techniques).
• Background in fundamental research principles and the importance of preclinical models of genetics and environmental exposures.
• Proficiency with statistical and graphing software (GraphPad Prism).
• Pharmacological injection skills (e.g., intraperitoneal, tail vein).
• Experience collecting, fixing, and sectioning rodent tissue.
• Experience with PCR, Western blots and RT-PCR.
• Experience with coding with MATLAB and/or Python and/or willingness to learn independently

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: Affimative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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 their 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

Sacramento, CA