26-27 Specialist Series (Open Ranks) - Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (PoolRecruitment)

University of California - Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Irvine is seeking candidates for Junior, Assistant, Associate, and Full Specialist roles in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Open date Sept 13, 2026 with annual funding dependent positions across ranks, requiring a range of degrees and substantial research experience.

Positions focus on research, scholarly output, and potential university/public service activities, with detailed qualification progressions for each rank.

Qualifications

• Basic qualifications include a B.S., M.S., M.D., or Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related fields.
• Junior Specialists: baccalaureate degree or equivalent experience.
• Assistant Specialists: master's degree or five years of relevant experience.
• Associate Specialists: master's degree or five to ten years of relevant experience with academic/public service record.
• Full Specialists: terminal degree or ten+ years with a strong publication and public service record.

Responsibilities

• Support specialized research and scholarly contributions within the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department.
• Engage in university/public service as duties and funding allow.
• Participate in applying rigorous research methods and disseminating findings.

Education

B.S., M.S., M.D., or Ph.D. in Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related fields

Job description

Position overview

Salary range:A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000 - $201,700 annually, and $27.30-$96.60 hourly.
[See Specialist Series - Represented - 26-27 Fiscal Year - Exempt & Non-Exempt]

Application Window

Open date: September 13, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Sep 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

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.

Position description

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the UC Irvine School of Medicine anticipates occasional openings in the Specialist Series at the Junior, Assistant, Associate, and Full Specialist rank.

Applications are being sought from candidates who have earned Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctoral degree or its foreign equivalent. Specialists are engaged in any specialized research, professional activity, and University and/or public service. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions to the research enterprise of the University and to achieve recognition in the professional and scientific community. Specialists may participate in university and/or public service depending upon funding source and the duties required for the position.

Basic Qualification:

Applicants must possess a B.S., M.S., M.D., or Ph.D. (or equivalent degrees) in the field of Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related fields.

Junior Specialists - Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience.

Assistant Specialists - Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

Associate Specialists- Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Associate Specialists are normally expected to have a record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published or in-press research in the field and a demonstrated record of university and/or public service.

Full Specialists - Appointees to Full rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Specialists at full rank are normally expected to have a significant record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published or in-press research in the field, professional recognition in the field, and a demonstrated record of university and/or public service.

Positions are dependent on extramural funding. Specialists are occasionally available throughout the year in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should apply through UC Irvine's RECRUIT system located at: Browse Open Recruitments or Log In - UCI - Recruit.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences website:
UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must possess a B.S., M.S., M.D., or Ph.D. (or equivalent degrees) in the field of Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related fields.

Junior Specialists - Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience.

Assistant Specialists - Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

Associate Specialists- Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Associate Specialists are normally expected to have a record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published or in-press research in the field and a demonstrated record of university and/or public service.

Full Specialists - Appointees to Full rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Specialists at full rank are normally expected to have a significant record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published or in-press research in the field, professional recognition in the field, and a demonstrated record of university and/or public service.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

• Cover Letter - Complements a CV and introduces an applicant to a potential Principal Investigator/Faculty.
  (Optional)

• Statement of Research - Statement describing past, present and future research direction.
  (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link:JPF10396

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine 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 categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

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 or laws 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: Aff...;
  

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

Irvine, CA