Junior Specialist (McKenney Lab)

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for Junior Specialist positions in Biochemistry and Biophysics.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Research (80%)

* This position will participate in interdisciplinary studies on cytoskeletal motor proteins and mitotic spindle assembly using in vitro reconstitution, biochemical, and single-molecule imaging approaches.

* Responsibilities include designing and cloning DNA constructs, recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial/insect systems, and executing TIRF-based assays to quantify dynein, KIF11/Eg5, and KIF15 activities and force balance in reconstituted microtubule networks.

* The appointee will review relevant literature and, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and senior staff, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and perform quantitative analyses to address the project's specific aims on spindle bipolarity and motor antagonism/compensation.

* The appointee will present results at lab and group meetings, maintain rigorous electronic/lab notebooks, contribute to figure preparation, and assist in manuscript drafting as data mature.

Service (20%)

* The Junior Specialist will help train and mentor undergraduate researchers in core lab methods (e.g., PCR, cloning, protein purification, imaging workflows) and foster a collaborative, inclusive research environment.

* Duties include general lab support such as ordering, inventory, equipment upkeep, and adherence to safety protocols and record-keeping required for biochemistry and imaging workflows.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT

* 25% appointment for 6.44 months; short-term role within a maximum two-year series, contingent on project needs and performance.

TO APPLY: please go to the following link:

https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07295

--Applicants should submit a cover letter, a research statement describing past research experience, skills, and interests, and a curriculum vitae as PDF files; provide contact information for two references.

QUESTIONS

* Please direct questions to Richard J. McKenney (Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Davis): rjmckenney@ucdavis.edu

* Bachelor's degree in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular and cellular biology, or a related field, with hands-on laboratory experience.

* Demonstrated molecular biology skills, including PCR, cloning (e.g., Gibson assembly), and documentation in a complete, detailed laboratory notebook suitable for publications and presentations.

* Experience with recombinant protein expression and basic purification, and exposure to single-molecule or in vitro reconstitution assays relevant to cytoskeletal motor proteins.

* Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong organizational skills and consistent experimental follow-through.

* Proficiency or familiarity with common analysis and presentation tools (e.g., Excel and GraphPad Prism) and image analysis software (e.g., ImageJ/Fiji) for quantitative assay readouts.

* Prior research or coursework in cell biology, biophysics, and genetics related to cytoskeletal motors and microtubule-associated proteins.

* Experience with TIRF-based imaging or single-molecule fluorescence workflows, microtubule polarity-marking, and analysis of protein dynamics; interest in applying these to the study of molecular motors.

* Familiarity with recombinant protein workflows using insect cells and FPLC-based purification, plus quantitative assay development with small-molecule inhibitors.

* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present data at lab meetings and contribute to figures and manuscript drafting while mentoring junior trainees.

• 2 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.
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