Junior Specialist - Calvert Neuroengineering Science Lab

Position overview

Salary range :

Exempt : A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2.

Non- Exempt : A reasonable estimate for this position is $26.35 / hr at Step 1 or $28.07 / hr at Step 2.

Application Window

Open date : September 16, 2025

Next review date : Friday, Oct 17, 2025 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

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for one full-time Junior Specialist in neural engineering to test, evaluate, and implement neuromodulation and rehabilitation hardware and software to restore sensory and motor function in persons living with neurological disabilities.

We are seeking a motivated and responsible individual with interests at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and medicine to join the Calvert Neuroengineering Science (CNS) Lab at UC Davis. The goal of our research is to design, evaluate, and deploy precision neurorehabilitation approaches to restore sensory and motor function for individuals with neurological dysfunction (e.g., spinal cord injury or stroke).

The successful candidate will be at the front lines of cutting-edge research : using state-of-the-art neurorehabilitation equipment (e.g., motion capture, human electrophysiology, neuromodulation), analyzing complex multimodal datasets, and working directly with clinical study participants in the laboratory. In addition to operating the equipment, running experiments, and analyzing data, the junior specialist will work closely with the principal investigator and collaborators to develop the next generation of neuromodulation technology.

Candidates will be invited to participate in laboratory meetings, contribute towards academic publications published in peer-reviewed journals, and attend relevant talks / meetings. The junior specialist will be expected to have a technical background sufficient to rapidly learn how to use novel equipment and software skills to interpret data from experiments. The junior specialist will primarily be stationed in the laboratory environment and coordinate research session plans, including operating neurostimulation software and collecting data under the guidance / instruction of the principal investigator. The successful candidate will have technical competency with using modern computer equipment, software, and operating systems, and be able to learn to use specialized software and hardware systems.

The junior specialist will also be communicating with study participants and their caregivers, as well as research staff on a regular basis. As such, strong interpersonal skills are essential. The successful candidate will also champion the safety and well-being of the participants with strict adherence to proper study conduct.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Calvert, Ph.D. and the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

I. RESEARCH (90% Effort)

A. The incumbent will collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities involving neuromodulation, rehabilitation, and neural engineering studies. The junior specialist will perform technical / routine lab activities required to operate rehabilitation and neuromodulation hardware, create study protocols for the use of lab equipment, develop software pipelines for data analysis, and run experiments with study participants. Their work will support the development of laboratory capabilities to perform precision neurorehabilitation approaches in clinical participants. Specific duties may include :

• Hardware Evaluation : Develop expertise in the use of rehabilitation and neuromodulation laboratory equipment (e.g., motion capture, electromyography, neural interface processors) to collect data from study participants. This includes creating synchronization systems to ensure communication across hardware systems.
• Data Collection and Analysis : Collect kinematic, electrophysiological, and behavioral data during recording sessions including EMG, EEG, motion capture, audio, video, and other biosignals. Contribute to data quality assurance, develop data analysis pipelines, and visualize datasets.
• Experimental Design and Iteration : Collaborate with the PI in refining data collection protocols and proposing enhancements to experimental designs based on observations and results.
• Creativity and Intellectual Engagement : Engage creatively with the technical and clinical aspects of the study. Offer insight into methods to improve data collection procedures, participant usability, and scientific impact. Participate in lab meetings to interpret data, troubleshoot challenges, and iterate on research approaches.
• Manuscript Contributions : Assist in writing manuscripts, preparing data visualizations, and reviewing drafts for conference abstracts and journal manuscripts. Act as author and / or co-author on manuscripts when appropriate and contribute to revisions and responses to peer reviewers.
• Grant Writing Assistance : Aid in the submission of grants to federal agencies and independent foundations through writing of methodological approaches, analysis of preliminary data, and creating figures.
• Literature Reviews : Conduct targeted reviews of scientific literature related to sensorimotor physiology, neuromodulation, rehabilitation engineering, and clinical neuroscience to support grant applications, protocol development, and manuscript writing.
• Presentation of Results : Present findings during internal lab meetings and multidisciplinary team discussions. Act as author and present posters or oral presentations at scientific meetings and academic symposia as appropriate.
• Research Facilitation : Participating in scientific data collection activities in both hospital and laboratory settings, including overseeing logistics and information dissemination. Conduct phone interviews with research study participants and recruit study cohorts.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration : Work alongside clinicians, students, and trainees with diverse expertise to perform varying research projects. As appropriate, train students to use laboratory equipment and provide mentorship to junior trainees.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% Effort)

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

For the full position description and to apply, visit https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07302.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

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

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Statement of Research (Optional)

Statement of Teaching (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.

Reference requirements

Apply link :

https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07302

Help contact : jaten@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.

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 (http : / / breathefree.ucdavis.edu / ).

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 : http : / / www.uscis.gov / e-verify

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 also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). 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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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