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Project Scientist Position in Cardiology - Sandhu Lab 2025-2026

Position overview

Position title: Project Scientist
Salary range: See Table 37-B [https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t37-b.pdf] for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $76,700 - $201,900.

Application Window

Open date: December 19, 2025

Next review date: Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Mar 19, 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 description

The Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is seeking a candidate for a Project Scientist position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full rank.

The candidate will work with Dr. Sandhu in the UCLA-VA Division of Cardiology. The candidate will work on (1) cardiovascular outcomes research using electronic health record and administrative claims data and (2) pragmatic clinical trials testing novel strategies for delivering cardiovascular care. The cardiovascular outcomes research includes descriptive epidemiology, comparative effectiveness, and risk modeling incorporating novel methodologies including causal inference statistics, large language models, and machine learning. Examples of the prospective clinical studies include testing the implementation of artificial intelligence algorithms for identifying high-risk individuals and smartphone applications for disease management.

A Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a team environment are expected. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Ph.D. candidates should hold a degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services, public health, health policy, or a closely related field. Desired skills include experience in biostatistics, study design, trial operations, artificial intelligence, or implementation science. Experience with multi-site clinical studies will be useful.

M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. candidates should have experience in clinical research, including health services research, outcomes research, or implementation science. Desired skills include statistical analysis, study design, and scientific writing. Prior experience in leading the design and implementation of prospective studies is preferred. The candidate is expected to have prior first author publications. Experience with multi-site clinical studies will be useful.

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

A Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. is required.

Ph.D. candidates should hold a degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services, public health, health policy, or a closely related field.

M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. candidates should have experience in clinical research, including health services research, outcomes research, or implementation science.

Additional qualifications

The candidate is expected to have prior first author publications.

Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a team environment are expected.

Preferred qualifications

Desired skills include experience in biostatistics, study design, trial operations, artificial intelligence, or implementation science.

Desired skills include statistical analysis, study design, and scientific writing. Prior experience in leading the design and implementation of prospective studies is preferred.

Experience with multi-site clinical studies will be useful.

Application Requirements

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

  • UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

    The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

    Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
    Expand our reach as a global university
    Enhance our research and creative activities
    Elevate how we teach
    Become a more effective institution

    Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

    Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements

None

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10755

Help contact: NataRodriguez@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.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA