Recruit

The position of Junior Specialist provides technical or specialized expertise in the planning and execution of research projects. The Junior Specialist stays apprised of the research area and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Modern smartphones capture a myriad of kinetic biometric (movement) based data such as step count, distance, speed, step length, and walking asymmetry as well as behavioral-based data such as number and duration of phone calls made and received, amount of screen time, and number of texts sent and received. All of this biometric data is readily accessible. We know that movement is directly impacted by physical parameters including a person’s weight, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and cardiovascular health. Additionally, both movement and behavior are influenced by mental acuity and their collective deterioration results in frailty. While a single set of biometric measurements is unlikely to be useful to assessing an individual patient, changes in the trend over a larger period of measurement may be very clinically significant. We propose analyzing the kinetic and behavioral data already captured by smartphones to establish baseline activity levels for patients with chronic medical conditions such as end-stage renal disease requiring either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and end-stage liver disease. We will then test whether deviations from baseline activity identified by machine learning algorithms correspond with clinically significant changes in patients’ health.

This position will be 100% and is subject to a 1 year term, however this may be extended bases on need.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Development in Specialized Areas (50% effort)

The Junior Specialist will use their expertise to make scientific contributions to one or more research studies and will contribute to research and development in the use of kinetic and behavioral data for continuity of care. Under the general direction of the Principal Investigators, the Junior Specialist will collaborate with other research personnel as part of a project that seeks to collect, consolidate, and analyze research participant’s kinetic and behavioral data from their smartphones.

The Junior Specialist will review the academic literature in Machine Learning (ML) and AI techniques for prediction and anomaly detection in multi-modal time series data.

The Junior Specialist will be actively engaged in preparing data for, and validating, AI models designed for this project and will work with collaborators in the laboratory as well as from other departments at UC Davis.

The Junior Specialist will draft tables and figures for presentations, and scientific reports, publications and proposals as well as participate in drafting and revising manuscripts as needed.

The Junior Specialist will assist in deploying and maintaining the app that will collect kinetic and behavioral data from the research participants' smartphones.

Professional Competence and Activity (45% effort)

The Junior Specialist will organize data for grant proposals and reports and offer technical and creative contributions to report and/or manuscript preparation.
The Junior Specialist will conduct literature searches for articles relevant to the research and development topic, engage in discussions of data with the Principal Investigators, and contribute to presentation of research findings and manuscript preparation.

University and Public Service (5% effort)
The Junior Specialist will mentor undergraduate students

QUALIFICATIONS:

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a Bachelors degree in CS. Knowledge in ML/AI techniques for time series data, Fluent in PyTorch and other ML/AI tools, Fluent with DevOPs and MLOPs, Familiarity with literature review, date collection, and data consolidation

APPLICATION: Applicants should submit:

a curriculum vitae,
an optional cover letter,
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,
and 2 letters of reference

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 (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.

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.