Computational Junior Specialist- Ben-Shalom 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.

Open date: January 28, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 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.

The Department of Neurology at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for a full-time Junior Specialist.

The Department of Neurology at the University of California, Davis, is seeking a full-time Junior Specialist. The purpose of this position is to provide support, coordination, and leadership for research studies of Dr. Roy Ben-Shalom.

In direct collaboration with the Principal Investigator, this position will be involved in developing computational tools to analyze neural data. These studies will help determine how mutations affect neuronal excitability and results in neurological diseases such as Autism and Epilepsy.

I. RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (90% Effort)

• Assist in developing, maintaining and running current neural data analysis software in the lab.
• Developing code to support analysis and plotting of the data
• Support data analysis workflows including data preprocessing, feature extraction, statistical summaries, and visualization.
• Document code, maintain repositories, and implement version control best practices.
• Participate in research meetings and technical discussions related to ongoing projects.
• Prepare figures, charts, and visual summaries for research reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Participate with research staff on peer-reviewed publications, grant proposals, research reports and talk/poster presentations.
• Provide programming support to research staff.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% Effort)

The successful candidate will engage in research and professional competence activities with the project investigators such as research reports and talk/research presentations. The candidate will participate in all lab meetings, discussing ongoing and future projects with research staff.

II. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

• Present at local forums regarding computational neuroscience
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and educate them on how to use our lab's software
• Attend journal clubs and other relevant presentations

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, neuroscience, engineering, data science, or a related quantitative field.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organized, motivated, and attentive to detail.
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB for research computing.
• Familiarity with Linux or UNIX-based tools and command-line environments to support research software and data processing tasks.

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

• Familiarity with computational data analysis workflows in research settings.
• Ability to support data analysis tasks including preprocessing, feature extraction, statistical analysis, and visualization.
• Working knowledge of Python- and/or MATLAB-based scientific computing tools.
• Ability to assist with organizing and processing large research datasets.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git/Git Hub) for managing and documenting research code.
• Ability to generate clear visual summaries, figures, and charts for research communication.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with research staff and assist in training students or staff on computational tasks.

Document requirements

• Cover Letter
• 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

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
07468

Help contact: margodfrey

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...
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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