Skip to main content

Assistant Project Scientist

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist
Salary range: 74100-85900

Application Window

Open date: April 30, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, May 30, 2025 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 description

Assistant Project Scientist Position
The Division of Child and Adolescents, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA
and Semel Institute

The Assistant Project Scientist candidate will perform independent research investigating conduct independent research on the clinical, affective, and motivational factors related to adolescent mental illness and/or develop and test innovative methodological and quantitative techniques in these research areas. They will perform all required research related activities with IRB and regulatory affairs as well as oversee data entry and participant recruitment and enrollment. They will evaluate and disseminate cutting-edge psychiatric research with real-world implications on clinical populations. They will participate in the scientific and research training activities at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences.

Specific Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with UCLA faculty, they will conduct research examining the functional impact of addiction and developmental psychopathology on cognitive, neurological, psychological and behavioral development in youth, and development of methods in which to intervene early in the trajectory of high-risk adolescent behaviors.

• They will utilize their expertise in use of mobile and digital technologies in psychiatry and with vulnerable populations such as adolescents and those with substance use disorders. They will monitor and obtain funding for their research projects, implement study protocols according to regulatory guidelines, coordinate research staff involvement in data gathering, and manage participant recruitment and data securely.

• They will have the ability use of novel and current technologies in psychiatry and be aware of ethical challenges that are faced in using these technologies in clinical populations. They will consult extensively with UCLA research, medical, and academic personnel to ensure the quality of research and health safety of participants are maintained.

In addition, will:
• Independently write draft manuscripts of research study findings for submission to peer review journals.
• When appropriate, present research findings at conferences related to child, adolescent, adult psychiatry or psychology.
• Prepare and submit grants through UCLA for research funding. Monitor their current funding levels for personnel and supplies carefully.

Required Qualifications:
• M.D. or Ph.D. related to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or Psychology

• >10 years of experience working with individuals and families and in academic centers focused on transdisciplinary neurodevelopmental disorders from early childhood through adulthood.

Required Skills:
• 10+ years of experience with all aspects of human subjects research. Experience with all stages of publication, grant submission, and project management.
• Expertise working with clinical and addiction-affected populations. Expertise with statistical and web data acquisition software for data management and analyses.
• Ability to handle several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to train and advise laboratory personnel.
• Ability to maintain high quality scientific records.

Salary will be consistent with the UCLA Project Scientist Series. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table(s) https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t37-b.pdf. The salary range for this position is $74,100 - $85,900.

Interested applicants must submit: i) a cover letter outlining academic interests and a brief statement about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion*; ii) curriculum vitae with bibliography; and iii) contact information for three potential references to the application portal at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10313.

For more information, please contact at KVigil@mednet.ucla.edu.

(*Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Please see the following page for more details: https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/1111.html

Cultural North Star. The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what’s right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at https://medschool.ucla.edu/cultural-north-star

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

M.D. or Ph.D. related to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or Psychology

>10 years of experience working with individuals and families and in academic centers focused on transdisciplinary neurodevelopmental disorders from early childhood through adulthood.

Additional qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with all aspects of human subjects research. Experience with all stages of publication, grant submission, and project management.
• Expertise working with clinical and addiction-affected populations. Expertise with statistical and web data acquisition software for data management and analyses.
• Ability to handle several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to train and advise laboratory personnel.
• Ability to maintain high quality scientific records.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants are requested to provide contact information for 3 potential references in their UC Recruit application. Upon selection as a potential candidate(s), identified references will be contacted for letters. Candidates may be contacted to provide alternate references.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10313

Help contact: mvela@mednet.ucla.edu

About UCLA

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.

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.

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA