OPEN CALL Specialists

University of California - Riverside; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Riverside invites applications for the Specialist series across multiple ranks. The department seeks individuals who will contribute to interdisciplinary research, manage laboratory operations, and support data collection and tool development.

Open for full-time, part-time, or not-salary appointments for 2026–2027. Salary ranges from $57,000 to $201,700, with base pay commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• BS in chemistry, biology or related field as required for Junior Specialist.
• Master's degree or five years of relevant experience for higher ranks.
• Associate rank requires master's or 5–10 years of expertise with a strong publication and service record.
• Full Specialist requires terminal degree or 10+ years of relevant expertise.

Responsibilities

• Specialists contribute to design and execution of research, may oversee lab operations and data analysis, and develop/maintain research tools and resources.

Skills

Nucleic acid chemistry

Laboratory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree (Junior Specialist)

Master's degree (Assistant/Associate)

Terminal degree or 10+ years experience (Full Specialist)

Tools

Instrumentation & research equipment

Software programs

Recombinant DNA technology

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Associate Specialist

Salary range: $57,700 - $201,700

Anticipated start: July 1

Application Window

Open date: September 17, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Oct 5, 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.

Department: http://chem.ucr.edu

Position description

The Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Riverside anticipates openings for appointments in the Specialist Series.

This is an open call for Specialists for the 2026-2027 Academic year and the posting will remain open until the positions for 2026-2027 have been confirmed. This Specialist position is grant-funded under the sponsorship of various faculty members. Working with our diverse research team will provide a unique interdisciplinary research and training experience.

Specialists are expected to make significant contributions to research projects in their area of expertise. While they typically do not lead independent research, they provide essential support through their specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. Specialists may contribute to the design and execution of research, manage laboratory operations, collect and analyze data, and/or develop and maintain research tools and resources.

Candidates should demonstrate a high level of expertise in their discipline and the ability to make independent, innovative contributions to research activities. Appointment and advancement in this series are based on the quality and significance of their specialized contributions, as well as their professional competence and activities. In some cases, Specialists may also engage in University and public service relevant to their area of specialization.

Appointments may be made on a full-time, part-time, or without-salary basis. Initial appointments are typically for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The current base pay range for this position is $57,000 to $201,700.

Basic qualifications required at the time of application per rank include:

Junior Specialist - Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience, e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment, software programs, social science research methods, humanities scholarship, or creative activities.

Assistant Specialist - 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 Specialist - 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 Specialist - Appointees to the full Specialist 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.

Review of applications will begin on [September 15th - Non-Senate is minimum of 30 days after open date].

For questions regarding application procedures or requirements, please contact Kendall Thomas, Academic Personnel, at [[e-mail]].

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).

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 categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

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.

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. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California's Affiliated Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

Qualifications

BS in chemistry, biology or genetics required for the Junior Specialist role but a Master or Doctorate in Chemistry is preferred for the Assistant, Associate and Specialist role.

A minimum of three years of expereience in a lab focusing on the chemistry and biology of nucleic acids.

Preferred qualifications

Experience working on chemistry and biological of nucleic acids. Knowledge and hands-on experience with recombinant DNA technology and genetics, and mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical chemistry.

UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence - In a "Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence", we ask applicants to describe their past and/or potential future contributions to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, which is a key requirement of the role of every faculty member and administrator at UCR. There are numerous ways to contribute, and a commitment to this part of our mission can be reflected through research, teaching, supervision, mentoring, community engagement, service, and any of the other varied activities that are a part of an academic career. (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Applicants will be asked to name references to complete their application, but the references will not be asked to provide letters unless the Analyst requests them.

Help contact

[e-mail]

About UC Riverside

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf). For Non-Senate faculty positions, review criteria and duties are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

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 categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

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.

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. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California's Affiliated Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

Job location

Riverside, CA