Staff Research Associate 2 NEX

About the Role

This position will be responsible for the general management of the research activities for Dr. David Brandman. Responsibilities include:

• Purchasing and receiving equipment and tracking inventory
• Organizing meetings, schedules, and outings
• Assisting onboarding new employees and acting as the first point of contact for lab members’ administrative questions
• Assisting faculty with administrative responsibilities such as preparing grants and grant progress reports
• Assisting faculty with clinical research programs and clinical quality improvement research, which may require accessing patient charts or related clinical data
• Assisting faculty with their administrative program, which may require faculty email and calendar access
• Serving as the group’s principal point of contact related to the physical lab space (for inspections, maintenance, etc.)
• Safety training of lab personnel, undergraduate student volunteers, and maintaining all health and safety training documentation for these individuals and campus EH&S compliance

The job will be primarily in-person with occasional work-from-home flexibility.

Responsibilities

• 45% Laboratory Management: Oversee day-to-day operations, including inventory, purchasing, and administrative support for lab members.
• 40% Laboratory Operations Support: Assist faculty with grants, clinical research, and administrative tasks, including calendar and email management.
• 15% Laboratory Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure safety training and documentation compliance for all lab personnel and maintain EH&S standards.

Requirements

• 1-3 years in a laboratory setting
• Highly organized with the ability to maintain clear and complete records
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with faculty, students, and fellows
• Strong computer skills, including the ability to generate graphs, tables, and summary documents
• Familiarity with animal care protocols, lab safety guidelines, cell culture protocols, biological use guidelines, and procedures for UCD investigators using rodents in laboratory research
• Willingness to teach and communicate with students and fellows
• Excellent collaborative skills
• Familiarity or ability to quickly learn ordering procedures at UCD
• Familiarity with standard laboratory equipment (e.g., pH meters, balances)

Department Overview

The UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab is part of the Department of Neurological Surgery, home to internationally recognized experts in neurosurgical disorders. The department provides neurosurgical care for much of Northern California and collaborates with the University's NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Level I Trauma Center, Center for Neuroscience, and Stroke Program to deliver advanced, multidisciplinary, patient-focused care. Research programs focus on testing new technologies, neuroimaging, and treatments to improve outcomes for patients with conditions such as stroke, hydrocephalus, ALS, brain aneurysms, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, seizures, and degenerative disc disease.

Pay

Salary range: $32.79 - $52.75 per hour

Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)
• 100% time (40 hours per week)

Benefits

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for you and your family
• UC-paid dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans, including pension and other retirement savings options
• Supplemental insurance (e.g., life, disability, pet, legal, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity)
• Pregnancy and parental leave, family & medical leave, adoption assistance, and pay for family care and bonding
• Lactation support program and family care discounts
• Employee well-being resources and programming
• On-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services
• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Continuing education allowance and staff education reimbursement program
• Free professional development courses and learning opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer and student loan debt counseling

Physical Demands

• Standing: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Walking: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Sitting: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Twisting: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders): Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Reaching overhead: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Occasional (up to 3 hours)

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Loud noise levels: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours)
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Microwave/Radiation: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Extreme temperatures: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Uneven surfaces or elevations: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours)
• Complex problem solving/reasoning: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Ability to organize & prioritize: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours)
• Communication skills: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours)
• Numerical skills: Occasional (up to 3 hours)
• Constant interaction: Frequent (3 to 6 hours)
• Customer/Patient contact: Continuous (6 to 8+ hours)
• Multiple concurrent tasks: Occasional (up to 3 hours)