Junior Specialist- Henderson Lab

Position overview



Salary range:
A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1

Application Window

Open date: April 20, 2026

Most recent review date: Wednesday, May 20, 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: Thursday, Dec 31, 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
Description

Dr. John Henderson in the Department of Psychology at UC Davis seeks to fill a full-time inperson position at the Junior Specialist level starting Summer 2026. This position is for one year. The successful candidate will work on studies investigating how adults view and understand complex dynamic visual scenes and how attention is allocated during dynamic scene viewing. The primary methodology to be used is eye tracking, together with behavioral measures such as reaction time. This research will be conducted in the PI's lab at the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain.

The successful candidate will have completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field, and will have experience conducting cognitive research including testing subjects on the eyetracker and processing eyetracking data. The principal investigator will provide additional training in eyetracking data processing as well as guidance in how to train others in these data collection and processing procedures remotely and in person. Responsibilities will include day-to-day management of the lab, testing eyetracking subjects, training other undergraduate lab assistants in eyetracking testing and data analysis, running computational models for scene analysis, processing and analyzing eyetracking and behavioral data using LME models in R, collecting and reviewing journal articles, engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results, and contributing to the writing up of results for publication in scholarly journals and presentations at conferences. As appropriate, the individual would be a co-author on these presentations and publications.

Responsibilities will include:
Research (85%):

(a) Conducting research

• Oversee day-to-day running of the lab, including preparation and maintenance of IRB materials and ensuring compliance with those protocols, ordering supplies, scheduling of subjects, maintenance of lab calendars, and other miscellaneous organizational tasks
• Test participants on the eyetracker
• Create and analyze scene stimuli using custom computational models including the lab's DeepMeaning model
• Train students and staff on use of the eyetracker, including testing of subjects
• Train team members in the lab on processing and preparation of eyetracking data and behavioral data
• Assist with development of scripts and programs for running eyetracking and behavioral experiments
• Preprocess eyetracking data for statistical analysis using the lab's custom code
• Assess data quality to evaluate need for changes to testing protocols
• Analyze data using LME models in R
• Maintain calendars and sign-up forms for organizing undergraduate assistants' time and use of lab testing rooms and other facilities
• Maintain the lab and project websites

(b) Developing research materials

• Develop experimental stimuli and other research materials using Experimenter Builder and other software and programming environments. These duties involve creative and scholarly input which will have a direct impact on experimental design

*(c) Activities Related to Dissemination of Research *

• Participate in weekly discussions of relevant literature, and conduct literature reviews relevant to the work being conducted
• Attend live or remote conferences to present the results of the research
• Conduct independent data analysis
• Contribute to writing and preparation of manuscripts for publication
• Contribute to preparation of posters and talks for conference presentations

(d) Preparation of public-facing reports and briefings

• Draft and format accessible summaries of research findings for broader university and public audiences.
• Assist in drafting social media communications describing published research studies and lab preprints designed to promote information about research findings and lab scientists to a broad audience, to be distributed over social media
• Maintain a lab social media presence

University and Public Service (15%):

(e) Undergraduate research assistant training and mentoring

• Train and mentor undergraduate students on subject testing, data coding, and data analysis protocols
• Train and mentor undergraduate students on use of software

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field. Prior experience working with eyetrackers and eyetracking data. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

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

Familiarity with IRB protocols and IRBnet; experience with R, Python, and/or Matlab

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

• Cover Letter

• 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

• 2-3 letters of reference required

Apply link:

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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.

• "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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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.

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.

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 is also a national leader in inclusive practice. 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.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

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