Employment Opportunities

Position description

Specialists are expected to make significant contributions to research projects in their area of expertise. While they typically do not lead independent research, they provide essential support through their specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. Specialists may contribute to the design and execution of research, manage laboratory operations, collect and analyze data, and/or develop and maintain research tools and resources.

Candidates should demonstrate a high level of expertise in their discipline and the ability to make independent, innovative contributions to research activities. Appointment and advancement in this series are based on the quality and significance of their specialized contributions, as well as their professional competence and activities. In some cases, Specialists may also engage in University and public service relevant to their area of specialization.

Appointments may be made on a full-time, part-time, or without-salary basis. Initial appointments are typically for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The current base pay range for this position is $55,000 to $194,800.

Qualifications Required at the time of application per rank include:
Junior Specialist - Appointees to the Junior rank should possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or equivalent research experience, e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment, software programs, social science research methods, humanities scholarship, or creative activities.

Assistant Specialist - Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

Associate Specialist - Appointees to the Associate rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Associate Specialists are normally expected to have a record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published or in-press research in the field and a demonstrated record of University and/or public service.

Full Specialist - Appointees to the full Specialist rank should possess a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. Specialists at full rank are normally expected to have a significant record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published or in-press research in the field, professional recognition in the field, and a demonstrated record of University and/or public service.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02253
Help contact: ashleigh.bennett@ucr.edu

Position Information

This position supports 11 Instructional Labs a year running in 7 different lab rooms. Average enrollment per quarter is 1,500-2,000 students. Under general supervision of the Lab Manager, perform physics laboratory and/or lecture demonstration assemblies, installations, calibrations and tests. Repair and maintain instructional equipment. Assist in the design, fabrication, assembly and testing of new equipment. Store equipment when not in use. Order supplies and replacement equipment. Maintain records of laboratory exercises and equipment manuals. Operate audio/visual equipment and perform photographic services for the department. Perform routine laboratory maintenance. Perform departmental receiving function. Assist with laboratory moves and set-ups. Serve as a member of the Building Emergency Staff team. Perform other related duties as assigned in support of instruction and research. Work schedule is 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. on alternate days of the week.

The full salary range for the Development Technician III is $29.57 - $35.50 per hour.  However, the expected pay scale for this position is $29.57 - $33.94 per hour.  We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position.  Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

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.

Educational Requirements

• College level coursework in Physics plus three years of technical and craft experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required)

• Bachelor's degree in Physics. (Preferred)

Experience

• Experience with the fabrication and assembly of scientific equipment and parts. (Required)

• Experience with the installation, modification, repair, testing and maintenance of equipment in a teaching laboratory. (Required)

• Experience working in Higher Education. (Preferred)

Minimum Requirements

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers, supervisors, faculty, staff and students in a diverse environment.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to operate Power Supplies, Electronic Weighing Balances, Digital Multi-Meters, Function Generators, Oscilloscopes, Spectrometers and other Physics Teaching Laboratory equipment found at the undergraduate level.

• Ability to identify and classify basic electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and inductors.

• Ability to read electrical schematics and perform basic calculations to arrive at specific values of components and circuits.

• Skill in reading and understanding technical documents such as procedures, instructions, manuals, diagrams, and schematic drawings.

• Skill and ability in the use of hand, machine and electrical tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, cutters, soldering irons, drills, saws and grinders.

• Ability to safely move equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

• Ability to climb a stepladder to assemble, retrieve or store equipment.

• Skill in accurate record keeping with strict attention to detail.

• Ability to work occasionally with low-level radioactive material. (A radiation safety monitor badge will be issued.)

• Ability to spend long periods standing and/or walking around

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions from faculty, staff and students.

• Ability to occasionally drive off-campus for departmental business. Must possess or obtain a Valid CA Drivers License in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

• Advanced ability and working skill to operate personal computers running a Microsoft Windows based operating system, including advanced skill of MS Office and Outlook 2010. Advanced skill to operate printers, scanners and copiers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to operate the following audio/visual equipment: Digital Camera, Video Camera, TV Monitor, Video Recorder, DVD Player, and Public Address Amplifier System.

APPLY HERE 

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Riverside anticipates openings for appointments in the Postdoctoral Scholar Series.

Postdoctoral Scholars contribute to the academic community by enhancing the research and education programs of the University. They bring expertise and creativity that enrich the research environment for all members of the University community, including graduate and undergraduate students. Postdoctoral Scholars work under the supervision of a faculty mentor and contribute to the intellectual environment of the research group and the broader academic community.

Candidates should demonstrate strong research potential, advanced knowledge in their area of study, and a commitment to further developing their expertise. Appointments in this series are intended to provide a period of advanced training and professional development in preparation for independent careers.

Initial appointments are typically for a two-year term, subject to exceptions, and may be eligible for renewal. Salary and level will be determined based on qualifications and experience. The current base pay range for this position is $66,737 to $82,836.

Basic qualifications required at the time of application include: Applicants must possess a Ph.D.
degree by date of employment.

To apply, please submit the following materials to https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF02326 

• Curriculum Vitae (required)
• Contact information for three references (required)
• Cover Letter (optional)

Review of applications will begin on 08/19/2026

This is an open search intended to create a pool of qualified candidates for potential Postdoctoral Scholar appointments within the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences. The recruitment will remain open throughout the academic year, and applications will be reviewed as opportunities arise. Submission of an application does not guarantee that a position is currently available or that an interview or appointment will be offered. Due to the volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to individual questions about specific openings or application status. For questions regarding application procedures or requirements, please contact Ashleigh Bennett Academic Personnel, at ashleigh.bennett@ucr.edu

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) as well as 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).

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.