Junior Specialist : Biology & Epigenetics - Knoepfler Lab

Position overview

Salary range :

A reasonable estimate for this position is :

• Non-exempt : $26.35 per hour (Step 1) or $28.07 per hour (Step 2)
• Exempt : $55,000 per year (Step 1) or $58,600 per year (Step 2)

Application Window

Open date : July 9, 2025

Most recent review date : Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date : Monday, Dec 1, 2025 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 Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, seeks to hire up to two part-time (60% effort) employees as a Junior Specialist in Dr. Paul Knoepfler's lab . The appointee(s) will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions within this sub-specialty area pf epigenetics and cellular research. They will devote 90% of the time to research and related activities, and 10% to professional competence and public service, as outlined below. Junior Specialist positions are short term, up to two years, to help meet the needs of laboratory and department research projects.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The Junior Specialist has the general duties of working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) in the planning and execution of research projects. The junior specialist may assist in data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, literature reviews and data analysis for preparation of manuscripts or conference presentations, and writing conference abstracts and manuscripts (e.g., methods and results sections, table, and figure generation) for

a particular project.

Successful candidates are expected to participate in three major categories of activities listed below :

1. RESEARCH (90% EFFORT)

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 departmental conferences.

The incumbent will collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities involving the roles of stem cells, genetics, and epigenetics in normal stem cell function, brain development, and brain diseases including cerebral palsy and brain tumors. The specific roles and duties include working with laboratory mouse models, culture of stem cell and cancer cells, cortical organoid development, gene editing, and biochemical assays on cells and organoids.

The junior specialist is given support and guidance for work assigned and will participate in ongoing projects, with individual responsibilities assigned in the lab. As the junior specialist gains expertise in experimental skills and makes substantial, novel discoveries, they will be expected to contribute to study design, data interpretation, as well as manuscript preparation and publication. As part of the training program in our lab, we will expect the junior specialist to hone their critical thinking, literature reading and writing skills, as well as to use their creativity when coming up with new ideas and research directions. The candidate will also assist the PI in peer review of journal articles, for example, by gathering relevant information from the literature. Thus, the nature of the work will be far beyond routine, technical work. The position also involves assisting with general lab research operations, working with the lab manager, and training of new lab members. The individual hired must have the ability to work as part of a team and be reasonably flexible in working hours in order to accommodate experimental schedules.

2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

The Junior Specialist will be expected to give oral or poster presentations at departmental and other seminars, such as journal clubs and other activities.

3. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

The Junior Specialist may be expected to provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants that rotate through the lab. They will be expected to participate and contribute to laboratory and group meetings, and other activities, as applicable.

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

Lab : http : / / www.chromatin.com /

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Preferred qualifications

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

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Unofficial Transcripts

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

Apply link :

https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07218

Help contact : jstillwell@health.ucdavis.edu

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

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 (http : / / breathefree.ucdavis.edu / ).

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 for 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. More information is available at : http : / / www.uscis.gov / e-verify

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 also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) . 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 .

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