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Assistant Project Scientist - Melody Li Lab

Job #JPF10882
  • Microbiology, Immuno & Molecul / Basic Biomedical Sciences / UCLA

Position overview

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 37B. The salary range for this position is $76,700-$89,000.

Application Window

Open date: March 2, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

ASSISTANT PROJECT SCIENTIST

UCLA’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a part-time Assistant Project Scientist position in the lab of Dr. Melody Li. The full-time (100%) Assistant Project Scientist candidate will carry out research projects that elucidate molecular details of host-virus interactions, with a focus on how viral structural proteins modulate macrophage immunity.

Specific responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

  1. Identify job duties related to proposed research activities.
  2. Conduct research on the mechanism of host immune antagonism and dysregulation by viral structural proteins, focusing on alphaviruses and coronaviruses.
  3. Take complementary approaches such as molecular biology, biochemistry, transcriptomics, and proteomics to understand host-virus interactions, specifically in the context of innate immune cells such as macrophages.
  4. Guide research projects and maintain detailed records of experimental work.
  5. Train and mentor undergraduate students, rotating graduate students, and other members of the lab on molecular cloning, virological assays, bulk RNA-sequencing, and affinity purification-mass spectrometry.
  6. Assist with preparation of grant proposals.
  7. Prepare manuscripts and complete revision experiments for publication in scientific journals.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, or a similar field.
• At least 5-6 years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Effective oral and written communications skills.

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 Cultural North Star.

Anti-Racism Roadmap

The David Geffen School of Medicine Anti-racism roadmap is our co-created path to ensuring racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to actively dismantling structural racism in our organization as described in more detail at: Anti-Racism Roadmap.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, or a similar field.
• At least 5-6 years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Effective oral and written communications skills.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • 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

References are not required at the time of application.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10882

Help contact: aouchi@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