Junior Specialist - Brostoff

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable salary estimate for the Jr. Specialist position is:
Exempt: Step 1 - $57,000/year; Step 2 - $60,700/year
Non-exempt: Step 1 - $27.30/hour; Step 2 - $29.08/hour

Application Window

Open date: September 10, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Sep 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Nov 30, 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 junior specialist will participate in publishable research focusing on host immune responses to both infectious disease and cancer. This research will use a very broad variety of research techniques in molecular biology and virology as well as spectroscopy and machine learning. General responsibilities will primarily include execution of research projects, laboratory management, biorepository cataloguing and maintenance of freezer organization, and assisting trainees in the laboratory. The candidate must exhibit exceptional organizational and interpersonal communication skills and must be willing to work as part of a team.

Research (80%):
Experimental research:

A successful candidate will be able to perform laboratory techniques including peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolation and culture, intracellular cytokine staining, and flow cytometry. The candidate will perform Raman spectroscopy on biofluid samples collected from the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with subsequent application of machine learning to automate sample characterization. The candidate will be expected to perform these techniques independently. The candidate will also be responsible for cataloguing and maintaining the lab’s biorepository of tissue samples and fluids using Freezerworks software. The individual may also assist with data analysis, generation of publication quality figures, and manuscript writing.

Laboratory management:

In addition to experimental research, the candidate will be expected to assist with lab management, including ordering supplies, maintaining safety and training records, maintaining a clean laboratory environment, and provide overall support for ongoing experiments. The candidate will provide hands-on support for trainees in the lab as well.

It will be occasionally necessary to work outside of standard business hours to accommodate certain laboratory techniques. This will represent less than 5% of the candidate’s total average work hours per month.

Professional competence (10%):
The candidate will be expected to participate in lab meetings and journal club, with the ability to critically evaluate literature and present scientific data in these meetings as well as presenting data during individual meetings with the PI.

University and public service (10%):
As a full-time lab member, this position includes responsibility for maintaining safety standards and meeting regulatory requirements of the university. There will be a focus on University and public service outreach and extension with a focus on topics related to their research.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, or related field
• Previous laboratory experience

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Demonstrated knowledge of basic concepts related to immunology, cancer, and virology

• Laboratory experience in basic techniques used in molecular biology (PCR, immunostaining techniques, cell culture)

• Experience with PBMC isolation and culture, intracellular cytokine staining, and flow cytometry

• Experience with FlowJo software

• Data science, machine learning, and biostatistics skills

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• 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)

Apply link:

Help contact: [email protected]

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: Affirmative 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 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