Junior Specialist (Accorsi Lab 2026)

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for one Junior Specialist position in development, regeneration and cellular biology.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Research (75%)
This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on visual system development and regeneration in the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata. The successful candidate will identify genes of interest based on transcriptomic datasets, generate mutant lines and analyze eye development and regeneration phenotypes using fixed and live imagining techniques. The candidate will also carry out animal genotyping, immunostainings and in situ hybridizations. In addition, the candidate is expected to review the scientific literature, and in conjunction with the Principal Investigator, formulate new hypotheses and design and conduct new experiments. The candidate is also expected to attend and present their work at lab and group research meetings, as well as help prepare figures and assist in writing manuscripts for publication.
Service (25%)
The Junior Specialist will be expected to help maintaining wild-type and mutant animals, train other lab members and help with maintaining laboratory resources and stocks, including ordering, cleaning, keeping lab databases up to date and ensuring that safety regulations are met.

Apply Here

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a research statement describing their past research experience, skills and interests, a curriculum vitae. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files. Applicants should also provide contact information for three references.
All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For more information about the department, please visit the website: Molecular and Cellular Biology

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Alice Accorsi aaccorsi@ucdavis.edu

Bachelor’s of Science degree in molecular and cellular biology, developmental biology or a related field, with at least 3 months of previous lab experience. The ideal candidate will have: strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize responsibilities, interpersonal communication skills, decision-making skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Experience must include some molecular and/or tissue processing skills such as PCR, DNA extraction, plasmid preps or immunostaining and in situ hybridization. The ideal candidate must be able to keep a complete and detailed laboratory notebook, be able to document data for publication and/or presentations and be willing to learn new skills.

Previous experience or coursework in studying development and regeneration or visual system biology is preferred. Experience with animal maintenance, micro-injections, site-directed mutagenesis, microscopy, sequence programs and coding is preferred.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• 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.

• 3 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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