Jr Specialist - Navedo x1 - 2026

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology invites applications for 1-2 Junior Specialist positions in the sub-specialty area of cardiovascular research. Junior Specialist appointees will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions within this sub-specialty. Junior Specialists will devote 90% of time to research and related activities, and 10% to professional competence and public service, as described below. Junior Specialist positions are short-term, two-year maximum appointments made to help meet the needs of laboratory and department research projects. Appointments are 100% (full-time).

These positions are tenable in the laboratory of Dr. Manuel F. Navedo, Professor of pharmacology. We undertake a diversity of research activities and engage in numerous collaborations. Our goal is to investigate the regulation of blood vessels at the cellular, molecular, and tissue levels, comparing normal with dysfunctional responses. We use animal disease models with pathologies such as hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. We study processes related to both acute function (excitation-contraction coupling) and gene expression (excitation-transcription coupling). We focus on cell signaling molecules such as protein kinases, as well as membrane ion channels, transporters, and pumps, along with energetics and mitochondria. Complementing our functional analyses, we aim to understand structural determinants such as post-translational modification, translocation, assembly, or polymerization of proteins. We characterize mechanisms and molecules with the intention that they may be identified and validated as therapeutic targets for the treatment of vascular diseases.

CANDIDATES' RESPONSIBILITIES

Research (90%): 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 presentations 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 monthly departmental science-in-progress talks.

Primary Responsibilities

We are looking for a motivated individual who will take ownership of the following key laboratory operations:

* Animal Colony Management: Management (including selective breeding and genotyping) of mouse colonies representing various gene-altered models relevant to vascular function.

* Genotyping: Perform genotyping as needed to support colony management and experimental planning.

* Ordering and Procurement: Ordering and stocking of laboratory supplies, maintaining inventory systems.

* Chemical Inventory Management: Maintain organized chemical inventory, ensuring proper storage, labeling, and safety compliance.

* Solution Preparation: Prepare experimental solutions and reagents according to established protocols.

* General Laboratory Work: Shared lab maintenance duties including cleaning/sanitization, record keeping, and supporting day-to-day laboratory operations.

Additional Research Activities

* Preparation of vascular smooth muscle from mice using approved protocols for use in acute experiments.

* Maintenance of cell cultures, including unpassaged vascular smooth muscle cells and HEK cells.

* Generation and monitoring of specific mouse models of disease by dietary or drug intervention.

* Molecular biology experiments: Western blotting, PCR, recombinant protein expression and analysis, and work with adenoviral constructs.

* Functional experiments on cells and tissues using diverse techniques such as live or fixed imaging, fluorescence assays or electrophysiology.

* Managing or co-managing safety training and documentation for lab personnel.

* Informal scientific discussions within the lab and progress reports, university symposia, poster presentation sessions, or even regional, national, or international scientific meetings.

Professional Competence (5%): The candidate will be encouraged to participate in weekly lab meetings, attend weekly seminars/conferences, contribute towards weekly journal clubs and other activities, as applicable within the Department of Pharmacology.

Public Service (5%): The candidate will mentor undergraduate students and assist with dissemination of experimental procedures/technical expertise to other research groups and consultation with IACUC and safety committees on campus.

* Laboratory experience is equivalent to one year, for instance, as an undergraduate researcher.

* Experience in or related to ONE or MORE of the above-listed priority research activities where our need is greatest.

* Ability to organize tasks and manage time.

* Ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, virtually (online), and by telephone.

* Willingness to work either interactively or independently within a large diverse lab group.

* Attention to cleanliness and detail sufficient to meet commonly accepted standards of laboratory practice.

* Willingness to adhere to UC Davis mandated laboratory safety and ethics standards.

* A bachelor's degree in a field related to our research is required by the start date of this position. Example fields include biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, animal science, biomedical engineering, or genetics.

* Basic knowledge of UC Davis management and compliance tools such as the Pre-purchasing System or Learning Management System.

* Familiarity with computer software for office productivity (word processing, spreadsheet); graphing, statistical analysis.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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.

• "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 or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, 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 (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

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