UCI - Junior​/Assistant​/Associate Specialist; Intervention Research and Study Coordination

Position overview

Salary range: $57,000-$91,100 annually for a full-time appointment. The Specialist level and corresponding salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, degree, and relevant experience.

Please note that these salary ranges reflect a 100% FTE appointment. Since this position is part-time, the salary will be prorated based on the percentage of appointment (FTE).

Open date:
August 28, 2026

Next review date:
Monday, Sep 14, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date:
Monday, Nov 30, 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 Summary

The Mind and Microbiome Lab at UC Irvine seeks a Junior, Assistant, or Associate Specialist with demonstrated experience coordinating or conducting human intervention research. This position is primarily focused on study coordination, and the successful candidate will play a central role in building and managing the infrastructure needed to launch and sustain a human microbiome intervention study. Familiarity with microbiome research methods is valued and will strengthen a candidate's application, but is not required.

The lab supports an interdisciplinary research program at the intersection of psychology, public health, physiology, and nutrition, with a focus on how everyday behaviors, diet, and psychosocial processes shape human health and the gut microbiome. Under the guidance of Principal Investigator Desiree R. Delgadillo, the successful candidate will support study development and implementation, IRB and regulatory activities, participant recruitment and retention, staff training, and biological sample coordination.

The immediate priority for this position is establishing the operational infrastructure needed to successfully launch the intervention study. This includes refining intervention protocols, completing IRB submissions, developing participant-facing materials and tracking procedures, training research staff, and establishing quality assurance systems. Candidates who bring experience building study infrastructure from the ground up are especially encouraged to apply.

As the research program grows and additional staff are hired, there will be opportunities to contribute to data analysis, manuscript preparation, grant support, and new research projects based on the candidate's interests and expertise.

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral and dietary intervention studies, including refinement of protocols and preparation of materials for IRB review.
• Develop study protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training manuals, participant-facing materials, and quality assurance procedures under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• Prepare and manage IRB submissions, modifications, regulatory documentation, and ongoing study compliance activities.
• Coordinate day-to-day study operations and help ensure that procedures are implemented consistently and in accordance with approved protocols.
• Develop and implement systems for participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, retention, adherence, and tracking.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of study databases, participant tracking systems, and data management workflows.
• Train, mentor, and coordinate research assistants in study procedures, participant interactions, data collection, documentation, and quality assurance.
• Monitor study implementation, identify operational challenges, and develop practical solutions as protocols are put into practice.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of research infrastructure and laboratory workflows.

• Coordinate procedures for the collection, labeling, tracking, storage, and transfer of human biological samples in accordance with study protocols.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of SOPs for biological sample handling, including procedures for temporary storage and transfer to analytical…