Recruit

The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, invites applications for a Full Time Junior Specialist Position in Dr. Howard Salis’s lab to support interdisciplinary research at the interface of synthetic biology, gene regulation, computational biology, and molecular engineering.

This position is suitable for candidates who are organized, reliable, eager to learn and interested in contributing to a collaborative research environment. The successful candidate will contribute to both computational and experimental research projects aimed at understanding, predicting, and engineering biological systems.

Appointees to the Junior Specialist rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) in Chemical Engineering or a similar engineering degree. The candidate must have experience with molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, DNA assembly, plasmid construction, bacterial transformation, and DNA sequencing. Candidates must have experience with designing genetic systems using automated algorithms as well as library-based cloning techniques using oligopools as DNA templates. Candidates must have programming experience in at least one scientific programming language (such as Python, R, Julia, MATLAB, or C++).

The preferred qualifications for this position are: experience in synthetic biology, gene regulation, or systems biology; designing or analyzing massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) or other high-throughput functional genomics experiments; experience with RNA secondary structure prediction, RNA folding algorithms, RNA design, RNA thermodynamics, or RNA regulatory mechanisms; and experience using RNA analysis software such as ViennaRNA, NUPACK, RNAstructure, or related computational tools.

Advancement through the specialist ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial input. The appointment is expected to begin October 5, 2026. The duration of the appointment will be for one year with possibility of renewal based on the performance and availability of funding. This is a full-time position and the salary will range from $57,000-$60,700 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with the University of California guidelines see: ) UCOP Compensation Salary Scales.

Interested individuals should apply online at UC Riverside Academic Personnel Recruit-Position JPF02315 Application Portal. Applications must include a Curriculum Vitae (CV). Review of applications will begin September 28, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC’s criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf). For Non-Senate faculty positions, review criteria and duties are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

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 categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

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.

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.

“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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.