Junior Specialist- Race Lab

POSITION OVERVIEW

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 per year at Step 1 or $58,600 per year at Step 2

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: April 8, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Apr 23, 2026 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

JUNIOR SPECIALIST IN REHABILITATION

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full time (1\.0 FTE) Junior in Rehabilitation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The Specialist appointee has the general duties of working closely with each the Principal Investigator (PI) in the planning and execution of research projects. This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on clinical and translational research, with additional opportunities for basic science research projects and clinical shadowing, in the field of traumatic brain injury.

The appointee will be expected to assist in data collection, entry and quality control, study design and implementation, literature reviews, and data analysis for preparation of manuscripts or conference presentations, and writing conference abstracts and manuscripts (e.g., introduction, methods, and results sections; table and figure generation) for diverse projects. The appointee will also be expected to help maintain organization of lab supplies, documentation, and adherence to general laboratory safety and operational protocols in accordance with institutional policies.

Projects in the lab include the study of disorders of consciousness, pharmacogenetics, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, agitation, and longitudinal neurologic recovery trajectories following traumatic brain injuries. Data types include clinical / EMR chart data, pharmacogenetics, and biosamples which may include wet lab processing of samples.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Nicholas Race and they should also be able to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment with other students/personnel/collaborators.

RESEARCH (90% Effort)

The appointee will be primarily focused on research involving the study of traumatic brain injury. Expectations and duties affiliated with research activities and membership in the lab include:

• Maintain an honest and collegial environment in the lab and with all lab members/collaborators.
• Effectively plan and execute research projects including IRB management, consenting/enrolling patients, data and sample collection, and archival of relevant data and samples in a systematic way.
• Follow protocols for ethical and humane research endeavors with rodents, including rodent handling and surgeries (primarily in rats), rodent brain harvesting with section preparation, and behavioral testing in rodents.
• Actively contribute to publishable research by collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data.
• Maintain a detailed record of experiments, data collection, and analyses with open communication to the PI.
• Assist with grant preparation with direction from the PI.
• Review journal manuscripts and/or other information related to traumatic brain injury, targeted drug delivery, extracellular vesicles, biomarkers, and neuroplasticity.
• Assist with overseeing the compliance of lab rodent use, rodent care protocols, and lab safety protocols is related to our projects.
• Purchase supplies, equipment, and order animals as necessary to complete experiments.
• Provide support to the laboratory and operational activities as needed.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% Effort)

The appointee will be encouraged to develop academic presentation skills with the goal of disseminating scientific information/results, participate in relevant journal clubs, contribute to departmental or campus seminars, and engage in activities that will further support their own career goals with mentorship from the PI. The appointee will also have the opportunity to shadow physicians who care for patients that sustain traumatic brain injuries in the intensive care unit at UC Davis.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

The appointee 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 other activities, as applicable.

For the full position description and to apply, visit brackets make links

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Research experience in neuroscience, rehabilitation, and/or clinical research of any kind.
• Experience and comfort interacting with and communicating with patients and families in clinical settings.
• Familiarity and proficiency navigating Epic EMR and patient clinical data in the EMR.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make critical decisions, and troubleshoot experimental hurdles.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent degree)

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

• Direct clinical experience and comfort interacting with patients and families
• Familiarity navigating Epic EMR to find relevant patient data
• Prior experience in clinical research

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

• 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)

Reference requirements

• 3\-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link:

Help contact: rnbaker@ucdavis.edu

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 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.

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