Assistant Specialist

Position overview

Application Window

Open date: March 17, 2026

Most recent review date: Monday, Mar 30, 2026 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 Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, invites applications for an Assistant Specialist to oversee and support research operations related to the ExFAB (Extreme & Exceptional Microbes BioFoundry) by developing and maintaining computational infrastructure that enables high-throughput synthetic biology and genomics research. The position emphasizes the design and implementation of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), software and scripting support for ExFAB projects, and the development of computational approaches linking genotype to phenotype for metabolic engineering and functional genomics applications.

Appointees to the Assistant Specialist rank should possess a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. The candidate will work closely with faculty, research staff, and technical teams to ensure robust data management, reproducible computational workflows, and effective integration of experimental and computational research activities within ExFAB.

The preferred qualifications for this position: degree in engineering, physics, computer science, or a related quantitative field, demonstrated proficiency in Python, and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment; experience with bioinformatics pipelines, LIMS development, laboratory automation, or synthetic biology research is preferred.

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 on April 20, 2026. The duration of the appointment will be for two years, dependent upon grant funding.

Interested individuals should apply online at UC Riverside Academic Personnel Recruit - Position JPF02217 Application Portal. Applications must include a cover letter, recently updated curriculum vitae, 1-2 sample publications, contact information for three references, and a statement of research interests. Review of applications will begin March 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table(s) UCOP Compensation Salary Scales. The salary range for this position is $63,500-70,700. "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive condition. Salary will be commensurate upon education and experience in accordance with university-established salary scales found on the Office of the President's Academic Personnel Programs Compensation Index.

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

Qualifications

Oversee and support research operations related to the
ExFAB (Extreme & Exceptional Microbes BioFoundry) by developing and maintaining computational infrastructure that enables high-throughput synthetic biology and genomics research. The position emphasizes the design and implementation of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), software and scripting support for ExFAB projects, and the development of computational approaches linking genotype to phenotype for metabolic engineering and functional genomics applications.

-Develop and maintain a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS for UCR ExFab facilities.
-Provide software and scripting support for ExFAB project.
-Develop computational approaches for genotype-phenotype models.
-Organization of the lab, record keeping, and safety related to research.
-Reporting and publication of research results.
-Knowledge of bioinformatic analysis pipelines.
-Knowledge of python programming.
-Make scientific and scholarly contributions in synthetic biology or genomics.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research

• Sample publications

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

None

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About UC Riverside

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 ( 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 (

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:

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit:

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit:

Job location

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Job Industries

• Other