Junior Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Open date: July 13, 2026

Most recent review date: Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 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.

The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist.

This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on clinical studies in liver disease. Successful candidates will also participate in biomedical education as well as rigorous research methodologies. Candidate should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience, including relevant research back as described below, software programs, and creative activities.

Junior Specialist will work under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and junior faculty in the and will be required to be actively/significantly involved in publishable research activities as documented through publications or other methods. Junior Specialist must be continuously and effectively engaged in research activity of scholarly quality and significance in the defined area of expertise and specialization.
Junior Specialist will be judged on performance in research. Evidence may include one or more of the following:

1. Letters from collaborators or principal investigators documenting that work performed contributed to published research.

2. Active participation and presentation in monthly Research in Progress meetings.

3. Active participation and presentation in Liver Research Day.

4. Recognized expertise, including formal documentation of intellectual effort, presentation of research at local meetings, and creative contributions to intellectual property (e.g., patents).

5. Documentation of effective planning and execution of research projects.

6. Publications on which the Specialist is an author or that credit the Specialist in the acknowledgment section of the work.

7. Active dissemination of information through training, presentations, or other means stemming from the research at local meetings.

8. Participation in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations e.g., American Association for the Study of Liver Disease or Digestive Disease Week.

9. Review of journal manuscripts and other publications related to his/her area of expertise.

10. Additional education and credentials related to liver disease or clinical research.

I. Research (90%) * Junior Specialist is expected to be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities including experimental designs, execution, trouble shooting, collecting and interpreting data, and revising plans for future trials. * Junior Specialist will be actively participating in hypotheses formulation and refinement based on data obtained from the clinical trials or in the literature. * Junior Specialist will be actively involved in manuscript preparation and revision.
* Junior Specialist will be actively involved in scientific or scholarly literature reviews during as part of the clinical trials. * Junior Specialist may contribute to assist with investigator initiated studies, study start-up, IRB approval, internal study budget, service agreements, prescreen patients, enroll patients, data entry, and manage sub-sites if applicable.

II. Professional Competence (5%) * Junior Specialist will have the opportunities to attend scientific or scholarly conferences and seminars locally including weekly GI conferences, Liver Research Day, and monthly Research in Progress meetings.
* Prepare and present scientific posters.

III. University and Public Service (5%) * For Junior Specialist, University and/or public service will include committee service in the areas of safety and mentorship of undergraduate student volunteers.
* Organize research group meetings to advance the research agenda

Other responsibilities include:
Developing and working on multiple projects under the direction of the principal investigator and junior faculty. Other responsibilities of the Junior Specialist in the lab will include development of clinical trial protocols, database design, clinical data abstraction, specimen handling and collection, tissue banking and processing, data entry, and maintenance of regulatory requirements. The applicant will also assist all members of the clinical trials unit with maintaining daily functions including ordering of supplies, and unit safety. Junior Specialist is required to be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including reviewing journal articles and engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results. Also, participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations; and review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to the areas of expertise. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

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 7/28/2026. However, this position will remain open until filled through 6/30/2027.

Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files via
AP Recruit)

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Zina Austin at zzburns@health.ucdavis.edu.

Bachelor's degree in biology or in a related field are required and must be awarded prior to actual hiring date.

• Some classroom experience in laboratory, and/or field research is strongly preferred including conducting biomedical research and handling research specimen.
• Knowledge of HIPPA, biomedical ethical issues, and writing human subject protocols in conducting human research is also preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required.
• Knowledge and experience in conducting basic laboratory procedures and bioinformatics is highly desirable.

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

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research (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.

• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• Writing Sample

• Statement of Contributions, to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• 3 required (contact information only)

Help contact: nasmithdecasper@ucdavis.edu

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.

• "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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, 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 or 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.

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 is also a national leader in inclusive practice. 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.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

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.