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Assistant Project Scientist

Position overview

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table 37-B for the salary range. “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $76700 - $85000, inclusive of the salary scale and off-scale salary components. See campus compensation page for additional information.

Application Window

Open date: June 8, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The Department of Psychology is currently hiring for an Assistant Project Scientist. For more information regarding the Project Scientist series, please refer to The Call Appendix 36: Project (e.g. Scientist) Series

Criteria:
Candidate must have a PhD in Neuroscience or Psychology (Behavioral neuroscience). Job responsibilities include supporting the PI in the design and execution of extramurally funded projects examining learning under uncertainty. The candidate should have a strong background in viral-mediated approaches such as miniscope calcium imaging and optogenetics, with the surgical, analytical, and programming skills to collect, analyze, and interpret these data. In addition, the project scientist will supervise graduate students conducting similar experiments. Responsibilities include assisting the PI in study design, regulatory aspects of research, project management, data analysis, manuscript preparation and submission.

The appointment will be for 100% starting September 1, 2026, and may conclude after 1 year depending on funding.

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 $76700 - $85000. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

PhD in Neuroscience or Psychology (Behavioral neuroscience)

Additional qualifications

-Strong background in viral-mediated approaches such as miniscope calcium imaging and optogenetics, with the surgical, analytical, and programming skills to collect, analyze, and interpret these data

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

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

No reference needed.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11078

Help contact: carpio@psych.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