Junior Specialist - Moxon Lab

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Davis seeks a Junior Specialist to join the Neurorobotics Lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, led by Professor Karen Moxon. The role focuses on computational methods to analyze neural data, data organization, and support for publications and conferences.

You will be mentored on academic or industry career paths and encouraged to present data at conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, engineering, neurobiology, biology or related field, or equivalent research experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Apply computational approaches to the analysis of existing lab data.
• Design hypothesis-driven research questions to analyze data for new understanding of the systems.
• Collaborate with PI and lab personnel to support manuscript writing and presentation of data.
• Attend lab meetings, read and summarize literature related to neural engineering.
• Present research results during lab meetings and assist with data interpretation and publication.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, engineering, neurobiology, biology or related field, or equivalent research experience

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: This position will pay $27.30 an hour.

Application Window

Open date: August 10, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Sep 15, 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

The Department of Biomedical Engineering invites applications from qualified candidates for Junior Specialist positions in the laboratory of Professor Karen Moxon. The successful candidate will join the Neurorobotics Lab, led by Professor Karen Moxon.

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The position of Junior Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment, or with research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. Junior Specialists are 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. Junior Specialists are also expected to participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations as well as review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications as applicable related to their research area of expertise.

JOB SUMMARY AND DESIGNATED AREA OF EXPERTISE

The candidate will join the Neurorobotics Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, led by Professor Karen Moxon. The lab is focused on developing computational methods to analyze neural data. Under the direction of the PI, the candidate is expected to collect, organize, and present data, engage in lab meetings and discussions on research, and assist in the interpretation and publication of those data. The candidate will be mentored regarding career paths in academia or industry and be supported to present data at conferences and contribute to the publication of peer reviewed manuscripts. The candidate's significant and meaningful contributions will lead to authorship or acknowledgement on published work.

MAJOR RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES (60% EFFORT)

• Using existing data in the lab, apply cutting edge computational approaches to the analysis of the data. Working with the PI, become familiar with the existing data structures and computational approaches.


• Design hypothesis driven research questions to analyze the data that provide new understanding of the systems under study.


• Identify creative ways to address any need for revision of experimental protocols.


• In collaboration with PI and other lab personnel, support the writing and reviewing of manuscripts and presentation of data at conferences.


• Read, review, and summarize literature pertinent to neural engineering and/or the direction of the research.


• Present research results during lab meetings.


• Lab maintenance and organization including pre-purchasing efforts, scheduling volunteer activities, documenting lab software and computer hardware.


• Animal care pre and post operative.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (30% EFFORT)

• Candidate will participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations.


• The candidate will present their work formally to the team in an open forum once every two months and meet with the PI weekly to discuss progress.


• The candidate will attend workshops related to scientific writing and be fully supported to improve writing and presentation skills.


• The candidate will have opportunities to present abstracts describing their work at national meetings and be first author on key publications of their work.


• The candidate is expected to attend workshops at Davis or other institutions for writing skills for both grants and manuscripts, as well as other topics including plagiarism, presentation skills, diversity and inclusiveness and academic job hunt.


• With support from the PI and other researchers in the lab, write journal articles based on the research conducted, analyzed and synthesized.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10% EFFORT)

• Help organize meetings, workshops and public outreach events in neuroengineering.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, engineering, neurobiology, biology or related field, or equivalent research experience is required.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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


• Cover Letter (Optional)


• 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.

Help contact: [e-mail]

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: Affirmsive 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.

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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.

Job location

Davis, CA