Junior Specialist
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 15, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 1, 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 Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a full time Junior Specialist in Nuclear Medicine and Translational Cancer Research.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
The position of Junior Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area. It provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with analyzing imaging data) in the planning and execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains
technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area, and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues, while also supplying input into the planning of research and educational programs. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.
The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Christina Young. The ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment will be very important for this work.
I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (85 % EFFORT)
Christina Young, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Radiology and Neurology at UC Davis. She leads a research program in Alzheimer’s disease and collaborates extensively with colleagues in Radiology, Neurology, and Epidemiology at UC Davis as well as with colleagues outside of UC Davis.
The incumbent in this position will:
- Collect and manage patient and laboratory data for clinical research projects.
- Manage research project databases, develop flow sheets, and other study related documents, and complete study documents/case report forms.
- Develop standards for source documentation and data storage, generate reports and prepare for monitoring or auditing visits with details such as number of participants screened, number of participants enrolled, reasons for screen failure, reasons for participant lost to follow-up.
- Work with other staff to provide reports required by the IRB or funding agencies. Ensure necessary forms are completed and submitted in a timely manner. Manage issues related to study proposals and consents, and follow-up correspondence regarding study performance and adverse events.
- Develop new pipelines or adapt existing pipelines to interpret, analyze, and visualize multivariate relationships in data.
- Independently perform data analysis with minimal supervision after the training phase.
- Quality control and process a variety of data types including but not limited to imaging data, questionnaire data, speech data, GPS data, location data, Bluetooth signal strength data, and cognitive data. Data analysis may involve accurate transcribing of audio recordings with minimal supervision and preprocessing of PET data.
- Independently troubleshoot issues with data.
- Identify unique and previously unidentified problems with preprocessing data and develop novel steps to overcome these problems.
- Teach data preprocessing steps to students and other lab members. Confirm that other lab members are performing the preprocessing steps according to lab standards.
- Learn through experience and instruction to perform study related cognitive and behavioral assessments. Accurately enter data into spreadsheets and RedCap and keep accurate records of research activities.
- Communicate with project directors and coordinators if there are data discrepancies or issues.
- Collaborate with faculty and research staff on data collection and analysis methods.
- Receive constructive criticism and incorporate feedback.
II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10 % EFFORT)
- Participate in appropriate professional/technical groups and other educational and research organizations. For example, attend and present at lab meetings, EMIC Research Meetings, etc.
- Participate in publication of research activities such as reviewing journal articles and presentation.
- Develop and submit publications including abstracts and manuscripts.
- Attend and present at local and national research meetings and conferences, such as the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) and Human Amyloid Imaging (HAI) annual meetings.
III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5 % EFFORT)
- Participate in activities of Lab Safety Committee (Departmental)
For the full position description and to apply, visit (https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07298)
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree) with a major in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, psychology, computer science, or a related field OR
- At least twelve months of relevant experience working in a research lab
- Experience working in a research laboratory or using specific research methods and techniques in the fields of Neuroscience, Psychology, Engineering, or Computer Science.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make critical decisions, continually learn and grow, quickly and effectively learning to use new tools and apps, systems, and processes in a continually changing environment.
- Demonstrated skills using R, Python, SPM, FSL, FreeSurfer, MATLAB, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Demonstrated knowledge in lab practices, regulations, and guidelines, and in maintaining records.
- Excellent verbal communication skills to effectively and professionally communicate with internal and external constituents.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills and multitasking skills.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills, utilizing available resources and good judgment.
- Demonstrated ability to understand scientific papers and theories.
- Demonstrated strong writing and editing skills, including but not limited to writing summaries, reports, and correspondence using accurate and professional grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Accomplished organizational and administrative skills to assume general assignments and independently follow through to successful completion.
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate problems/roadblocks and associated consequences, and take appropriate initiative on behalf ofthe lab team and PI.
- Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience (twelve months of relevant experience in a research lab), preferably in psychology or neuroscience
- Demonstrated familiarity with UC Davis research processes
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
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.
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Help contact: jrtsingh@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.
- “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
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