Junior Specialist - Ghetti Lab

Position Overview

Full-time Research Assistant Position, Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis. Dr. Simona Ghetti in the Psychology Department seeks to fill a full‑time research assistant position at the Junior Specialist level, beginning August 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will last one year, with the possibility of extension for another year. The successful candidate will work on research projects investigating neural development underlying word learning and retention, and emerging episodic memory in infancy and early childhood.

The role will provide exposure to all aspects of the research process and opportunities to acquire important research and intellectual skills.

• Recruit and schedule research participants by phone.
• Assist with data collection with adult and child participants and their parents, including administering behavioral assessments and measuring height, weight, and blood pressure.
• Conduct neuroimaging scanning sessions, primarily at night.
• Clean, manage, and process behavioral and neuroimaging data.
• Maintain human subject protocols, consent forms, and communicate with the IRB.
• Purchase laboratory supplies.
• Participate in frequent discussions of relevant literature and conduct literature reviews.
• Contribute to writing and preparation of manuscripts for publication.
• Prepare figures and text for presentations and manuscripts.
• Assist in preparing and submitting presentations for international conferences.
• Participate in community outreach to disseminate findings.
• Train undergraduate students on participant recruitment, data collection, coding, and analysis protocols.
• Assist in dissemination activities in the community.

• College degree in psychology or neuroscience.
• Prior experience conducting research with children in psychology or neuroscience.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Proficiency in research software (Microsoft Excel, Word, Google Calendar).
• Experience with statistical analysis, e.g., using R.
• Experience with neuroimaging data collection.

• Experience with online survey software such as Qualtrics.
• Experience with UC Davis IRB‑approved protocols.
• Experience with neuroimaging analytical pipelines, e.g., FSL.
• Experience working with infants and toddlers in research settings.

• Curriculum Vitae (most recently updated).
• Cover Letter (optional).
• Authorization to Release Information form (required).
• References: 2–3 required (contact information only).

Apply link: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
07705

Davis, CA

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 or federal law.

Under federal law, UC Davis may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.