Professional Researcher (Assistant / Associate)

Position overview

Salary range :

The annual salary range for this position is $93,400 - $146,700.

Application Window

Open date : August 19, 2025

Most recent review date : Wednesday, Sep 3, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date : Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 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 Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full-time Professional Researcher at the Assistant or Associate rank.

The Professional Researcher develops and oversees their own independent, creative, and high-quality research program equivalent to that required for the Professor series. The Professional Researcher takes major responsibility and leadership for their program(s). Generally, the appointee is expected to secure funding as a Principal Investigator but may be funded as a co-PI within a large center or collaborative program grant on which many independent investigators are working, as long as it is clear that the activities led by the professional researcher within the larger project constitute his / her own independent research program. Appointees do not have teaching responsibilities.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has approximately 65 residents in six residency training programs and 90 faculty and staff psychiatrists and psychologists at the UC Davis Medical Center and the Northern California VA Health System. The Department provides a stimulating teaching and academic environment : http : / / www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu / psychiatry / . The department provides a stimulating teaching and research academic environment and serves a culturally diverse population. The Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California, Davis, recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty in honoring their often-competing commitments to both family and career and provides work-life balance for its faculty in a beautiful Northern California academic setting.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH (90% Effort)

The selected candidate will be expected to develop an independent research program focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and trinucleotide repeat disorders.

The candidate will also contribute to ongoing research on fragile X-associated tremor / ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), particularly studies aimed at identifying early risk markers prior to disease onset and characterizing molecular changes during the "conversion" process when initial symptoms emerge.

In addition, the candidate is expected to collaborate with clinicians on current and upcoming drug clinical trials. While research goals may be developed in collaboration with principal investigators, the candidate will independently design specific projects. This includes selecting appropriate methodologies, techniques, and study populations-particularly (but not limited to) those involving FMR1 premutation-associated conditions.

The candidate will be responsible for collecting, summarizing, and analyzing research data; securing extramural funding to support their independent research program; and publishing findings as senior author in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% Effort)

The selected candidate will be responsible for :

Independent Research Leadership

• Developing an autonomous research program focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and trinucleotide-repeat disorders.
• Contributing to current investigations of fragile X associated tremor / ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), particularly in identifying early risk markers prior to disease onset and characterizing molecular changes during the "conversion" period when symptoms first appear.
• Collaborating with clinicians on ongoing and planned therapeutic clinical trials, and independently designing specific research projects-including selecting methodologies, techniques, and relevant study populations (especially FMR1 premutation-associated conditions).
• Collecting, summarizing, and analyzing experimental data; securing funding (e.g., grants) to support the independent program; and publishing results as senior author in peer-reviewed journals.

Scholarly Engagement and Professional Service

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

University and Public Service is required if hired at the Associate rank.

The candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. The candidate will also engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals or public agencies.

Additionally, the candidate will train, consult with, and advise graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, particularly in the areas of experimental design, methodology, and data analysis related to studies in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant / associate rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant / associate rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Additional qualifications

(required at time of start)

Preferred qualifications

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

Knowledge of CLIA guidelines and approaches are preferred

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae with bibliography - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Statement of Research

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 / JPF07238

Help contact : tisxiong@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.

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.

Job location

Sacramento, CA