Research Technician - Zhang Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute • Davis, CA

1d • $20 - $33 • Onsite

About The Position

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Research Technician to join the lab team of Dr. Elisa Zhang, Freeman Hrabowski Scholar starting in summer 2026. The Freeman Hrabowski Scholar program is noteworthy for selecting outstanding basic researchers who have prioritized scientific excellence in research while simultaneously creating lab climates in which everyone can thrive and benefit from their leadership and inclusive mentorship. Located on the Davis campus in the Departments of Physiology & Membrane Biology (PMB) and Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of California, Davis, the Zhang lab group is broadly interested in mammalian stem cell biology, reproduction, and development. They use cutting-edge single-cell, spatial, in vitro, and surgical approaches in multiple model species and in human organoids to investigate the uterine endometrium and maternal-fetal interface, with the goal of improving female and fetal health.
As the Research Technician, you will have the general duties of working closely with Dr. Zhang and others on the lab team in the planning and execution of research projects. You will be responsible for assisting in study design and implementation; data collection, entry and quality control; literature reviews and data analysis for preparation of manuscripts and/or conference presentations, and writing conference abstracts and manuscripts (e.g., methods and results sections, table, and figure generation) for specific projects. This would be an ideal position for a highly motivated candidate who is eager to learn and is seeking a robust 2-year career experience before moving on to the next chapter of their educational or professional journey. The lab is flexible to hire candidates at either the Research Technician I or Research Technician II level. Salary will be commensurate with the chosen candidate’s level of education, skills, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related discipline).
• Previous experience (full-time or part-time) in laboratory research.
• Outstanding organizational skills and accurate record keeping capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and decision-making skills.
• Strong quantitative skills required for accurate mathematical calculations and for data analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with laboratory safety and willingness to adhere to EH&S hazardous biological and chemical safety requirements.
• A commitment to follow all laboratory standard operating procedures, proactively identify and address issues and/or troubleshoot with other laboratory personnel when necessary.
• Positive attitude with a strategic, adaptive, and resourceful approach to problem-solving.
• Commitment to research integrity.
• Ability and willingness to learn to perform new techniques.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mammalian tissue processing (dissections, cryopreservation, sectioning, imaging, etc.).
• Experience with 2D mammalian cell culture and/or 3D organoid culture.
• Experience with rodent handling.
• Experience with coding in R.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities investigating stem cells and development, with a focus on the uterus and pregnancy as models of tissue physiology and organogenesis.
• Perform experimental procedures including mouse colony management (including tagging and genotyping), tissue sectioning and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, confocal and light sheet imaging and quantitative image analysis, single-cell RNA-seq, as well as 2D cell line and 3D organoid culture (including maintaining stocks of lines).
• Additional techniques and experimental procedures may include spatial transcriptomics, in situ hybridization (RNAScope), immunoprecipitation, Western blot, and plasmid DNA cloning and purification.
• Work with Dr. Zhang on experimental design with the expectation that a research project will be carried out independently with results intended to lead to publication.
• Contribute to general lab duties, including ordering, inventorying, and maintaining compliance with institutional policies.
• Present and participate in group meetings, review journal articles, engage in scholarly discussions of research, and provide mentorship to undergraduate researchers (as applicable).
• Attend conferences, participate in departmental and other relevant seminar series, journal clubs, and other pertinent activities.

Benefits

• An energetic, intellectually vibrant, and fun lab team that values innovation, excellence, inclusion, creativity, rigor, training, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Opportunities for authorship/co-authorship on research publications.
• Direct mentorship and support from Dr. Zhang and other members of the lab team.
• Access to cutting-edge instrumentation and facilities.
• Joining the supportive and collaborative UC Davis research community.
• Ideally situated in the peaceful, family-friendly town of Davis, located between the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, with beautiful Lake Tahoe a mere 2 hours away.
• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Access to HHMI’s on-demand learning and professional skill-building content library.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level