Jr. Specialist in Chemical & Materials Engineering

Position overview

Position title: Jr. Specialist

Salary range: See Table 24BN for the salary range for this position. The hourly rate at 100% time for this position is $26.35-$28.07.

Percent time: 40.5%

Anticipated start: January 19, 2025

Position duration: 5 months; 01/19/2026 to 05/31/2026

Open date: January 7, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Jan 7, 2027 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.

• Perform electroplating of redox centers and related experiments, along with material characterization.
• Analyze experimental results, review relevant literature, and collaborate with Dr. Lu to refine and improve synthesis procedures.
• Attend and actively participate in regular weekly meetings with Dr. Lu.
• Maintain laboratory instruments and ensure full compliance with laboratory safety protocols.

• A bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in organic synthesis and polymer synthesis.
• Familiarity with material characterization techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

• Experience maintaining potentiostat equipment.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a research team.

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Authorization to Release Information Form – 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.
  
  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

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

Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor individuals residing outside the United States who would require a new H‑1B visa for employment. Applicants who do not hold valid U.S. work authorization are presently ineligible for this position.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035:
Affi​….

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students…