Junior Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this Exempt position is 55,000 at step 1 or $58,600 at step 2.

A reasonable estimate for this Non-Exempt position is $26.35/ hr at Step 1 or $28.07/ hr at Step 2.

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: October 20, 2025

Next review date: Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 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 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full-time Junior Specialist in cancer research.

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, execution, and management of research projects. The junior specialist will assist in various research activities including data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, data analysis, literature reviews, and manuscript preparation. In addition, the Junior Specialist will work closely with the PI in the setup, organization, and maintenance of the laboratory, ensuring the laboratory is fully equipped and operational for research activities.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Maxine Umeh Garcia and must maintain the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

I. RESEARCH (90%)

The incumbent will collaborate with other research personnel engaged in projects related to cancer biology. Specific duties may include:

• Effectively plan and execute research project(s) in coordination with PI and senior researchers, specifically focusing on primary breast cancer and metastasis.

• Actively contribute to publishable research by collecting and interpreting data.

• Review relevant journal manuscripts and literature related to cancer biology and experimental protocols.

• Collection, processing, and storage of biospecimens, including associated clinical outcomes data.

• Assist in the physical setup and organization of the laboratory, including the arrangement of equipment and supplies to facilitate efficient workflow.

• Coordinate the procurement and inventory management of laboratory supplies and equipment, ensuring that necessary items are readily available for research activities.

• Maintain and organized inventory system to track the usage and expiration of supplies.

• Help set up and calibrate laboratory equipment according to established protocols, ensuring proper functionality for experimental needs.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% )

• Participate in, and contribute to, departmental seminars, journal clubs, lab meetings, and other activities, as applicable.

• Attend and present at local professional meetings.

• Collaborate with the research team to prepare conference abstracts, posters, and presentations.

• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings to the scientific and patient communities.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% )

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, committee service, and outreach activities within the university and the broader community, as applicable.

NUMBER OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: One year with the possibility to extend to two years maximum, based on the needs of the research project.

For full consideration, applications should be submitted by 10/28/2025. However, this position will remain open until filled through 06/30/2026.

Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files via

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Brenda Lavell at

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

The Junior Specialist must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field such as Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology, or a related discipline.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

In addition to having a Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field, the Junior Specialist must also have the following:

• General understanding of scientific principles.

• Demonstrated ability to apply theoretical knowledge of science principals to problem solve work.

• Ability to maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes.

• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications.

• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.

• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.

• Highly motivated, dedicated, and independent.

• Strong team player.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques (e.g., such as gel electrophoresis, RNA/DNA extractions, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence).

• Experience with tissue culture techniques.

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

It is also preferred that the candidate has experience working with the following:

• Experience working with clinical biospecimens (e.g., human tumor tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid), including proper handling, processing, and documentation under IRB-compliant protocols.

• Familiarity with cancer biology, particularly breast cancer and/or metastasis-related research.

• Experience with immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), or multiplexed tissue imaging platforms (e.g., CODEX, MIBI, or similar).

• Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics platforms or workflows (e.g., 10x Visium, NanoString GeoMx, etc.) and sample preparation techniques.

• Basic experience with or exposure to RNA sequencing workflows or transcriptomic data analysis.

• Interest or experience in applying systems biology approaches to complex datasets (e.g., integrating molecular, imaging, and clinical data).

• Familiarity with basic bioinformatics tools or data visualization in R or Python (preferred but not required).

• Prior experience contributing to publications, posters, or scientific presentations.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample (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 required (contact information only)

Apply link:

Help contact:

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.

• "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 (

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:

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