Junior Specialist Todd Laboratory; Dept of WFCB at UC Davis

Position overview

Salary range: Step 1, $55,000.00/annually

Open date: February 19, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Mar 13, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Apr 24, 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.

We are seeking motivated individuals to assist research on the conservation and ecology of the Mojave Desert Tortoise.

The position requires the candidate to conduct field research stationed in the Mojave National Preserve with a primary duty station near Nipton, CA. Work will include both husbandry and field-based data collection primarily relying on radio-telemetry and GPS. Preferred applicants will have experience with CA native reptiles and amphibians and/or experience with radio-telemetry and sensitive-status species. The ability to conduct field work in a desert setting is a requirement, including a field-worthy, high-clearance vehicle for which full federal mileage reimbursement will be provided (4WD is helpful but may not be necessary).

General responsibilities include caring for captive Mojave Desert Tortoises, assistance with construction/maintenance of experimental and husbandry systems, and performance of high-quality research in a field or laboratory setting. Applicants will be required to work outdoors in various weather conditions, including remote field areas where temperatures can reach extremes, working evenings or weekends to fulfill experimental or test animal maintenance requirements, as well as working during normal working hours in temperature-controlled office and lab facilities.

Must be able to lift equipment up to 30 lbs.; must be able to withstand weather- and temperature-related working conditions as previously described, with careful attention to personal safety and avoiding weather-related illness. Responsibilities also include maintaining telemetry equipment in the field/lab, assisting during transmitter deployment, collecting data, entering data, and quality control of datasets. A successful applicant will be required to communicate with funding agencies, help write technical and permitting reports, and may contribute to the preparation of journal articles.

Depending on field duties and schedule, they may attend remote laboratory meetings, review journal articles, engage in discussions on research and the interpretation of results, and may have the possibility of presenting research findings at technical meetings and professional societies.

The ideal candidate will have strong problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. They will also have a demonstrated attention to detail required for successfully collecting, organizing, and storing data, as well as communicating critical project needs, changes, or challenges to senior staff and faculty in a collaborative setting.

The duties of this position are designated to the following criteria:

Research (90%):
The incumbent will help design and execute studies in consultation with the PI and other project scientists. They will provide feedback on aspects of the studies. Responsibilities also include maintaining telemetry equipment in the field/lab, assisting during transmitter deployment, collecting data, entering data, and quality control of datasets. They will assist the project by writing annual permitting reports and by participating in lab discussions.

They will contribute to, edit, and provide feedback on any publications resulting from the work. They will be involved in animal use protocol reporting and compliance, as well as writing protocols.

Professional Competence (5%):
The incumbent may be able to participate in regional meetings. The incumbent will be expected to interact with and engage stakeholders and other agencies involved in wildlife management.

University and Public Service (5%):
The incumbent may assist in training or mentoring of other junior scientists or project personnel or participate in university or other groups to improve equity and inclusion in the sciences.

A Bachelor's degree in biology, conservation, ecology, wildlife or similar degree in a discipline relevant or related to the research conducted in the unit hiring the appointee.

• Experience with animal care/husbandry.
• Experience handling native CA reptiles or closely related species, including prior handling experience with Mojave Desert Tortoises that may ease permitting.
• Experience working both independently and as a team, and in seeking more tasks as workloads lighten.
• Experience with radio-telemetry technologies.
• Experience with standard reptile…