Junior Specialist - Neuroprosthetics 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 : August 9, 2025

Most recent review date : Monday, Aug 25, 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 : 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 invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist in the area of clinical neurotechnology to develop and test the safety of a brain computer interface (BCI) in people living with neurological disabilities.

We are seeking a motivated and responsible individual with an interest in neurotechnology and medicine to join a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists with the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab (https : / / neuroprosthetics.faculty.ucdavis.edu / ). The goal of our research is to develop and test the safety of a brain-implantable neural interface system (BrainGate2; www.braingate.org ). We are developing this BCI system to allow people with physical disabilities (e.g., unable to speak due to ALS or stroke) to speak simply by attempting to do so, by decoding their speech-related brain activity in real-time. Our work has recently made international headlines, being featured in mainstream news outlets like the New York Times, Scientific American, Reuters, NBC Universal, and NPR, among others.

The successful candidate will be at the front lines of cutting-edge research, working with clinical trial participants in their homes, and performing duties in concordance with FDA regulations and the investigational plan. In addition to collecting the data, the Clinical Neurotechnology Research Assistant (CNRA) will work closely with the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab to develop the next generation of brain computer interface technology.

Candidates will be invited to participate in laboratory meetings, assist with experimental designs for novel BCI technology, contribute towards academic publications published in peer-reviewed journals, and attend relevant talks / meetings. The CNRA position will be communicating with clinical trial 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 and adherence to proper study conduct and participate in clinical-trial related data collection.

The CNRA will travel to the home of the participants and coordinate the research session plan, including operating the BCI system and collecting data under the guidance / instruction of the researchers. Formal training in computer science and programming is not required; however, the successful candidate will have technical competency with using modern computer equipment (e.g. microphones, video cameras, etc.) software and operating systems (e.g. Windows, Mac OSx, Linux, etc.) and will be able to work with professional researchers and programmers to learn to use specialized software systems. The CNRA's detailed notes about each research session, and their feedback and insights from the field, are immensely helpful for improving the performance and user experience of the neuroprosthesis.

Research - 90%

The Junior Specialist will be an integral member of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab, contributing to groundbreaking research aimed at restoring communication for individuals with profound physical disabilities. Their work will support the development and safety testing of the BrainGate2 brain-computer interface (BCI), a neural implant system that decodes speech-related brain activity in real-time.

Roles and Responsibilities :

• Study Implementation & FDA Compliance : Assist in the coordination and execution of FDA-regulated clinical trial activities, including documentation, data management, and adherence to the investigational plan. This includes working directly with clinical trial participants in home settings.
• Data Collection and Analysis : Collect high-fidelity neural and behavioral data during BCI recording sessions, including EEG, audio, video, and other biosignals. Contribute to data quality assurance and assist in preprocessing and annotation.
• Experiment Design & Iteration : Collaborate with the PI and engineering team in refining data collection protocols and proposing enhancements to experimental designs based on observations and results.
• Creativity and Intellectual Engagement : Engage creatively with both the clinical and technical aspects of the study. Offer insight into ways to improve BCI algorithms and participant usability. Participate in lab meetings to interpret data, troubleshoot challenges, and iterate on research approaches.
• Manuscript Contributions : Assist in writing methods sections, preparing data visualizations, and reviewing drafts for conference abstracts and journal manuscripts. Co-author manuscripts when appropriate and contribute to revisions and responses to peer reviewers.
• Literature Reviews : Conduct targeted reviews of scientific literature related to neural decoding, speech production, brain-computer interfaces, 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. The CNRA may co-author and present posters or oral presentations at scientific meetings and academic symposia.
• Research facilitation : Participating in other scientific data collection activities, both in- and outside of a hospital setting, including overseeing logistics and information dissemination.

Professional Competence - 5%

University and Public Service - 5%

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 (Optional)

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

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 / JPF07251

Help contact : margodfrey@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

Davis, CA