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Assistant Project Scientist

Job #JPF11224
  • Physiology / David Geffen School Of Medicine / UCLA

Position overview

Salary range: $79,400-$92,200

Application Window

Open date: July 30, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, Aug 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Aug 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The DeNardo lab is in the Department of Physiology at UCLA is recruiting for an Assistant Project Scientist position. This position is intended for research working on the neural circuit mechanisms of long-term memory. The DeNardo lab pioneered viral-genetic approaches for circuit mapping and activity-dependent neuronal tagging.

Job responsibilities include supporting the PI in the design and execution of funded projects, including investigating prefrontal circuit mechanisms of threat-induced behaviors and the impact of chronic stress. Responsibilities also include assisting the PI in study design, day-to-day tasks related to project management, data analysis, manuscript preparation and submission, and supervising graduate/undergraduate students/junior postdoctoral fellows working in this group.

The qualifications for this position are Ph.D. in neuroscience, neurobiology, neuroengineering, or a closely related field of study. Experience related to optogenetics, fiber photometry, rodent behavioral assays, miniscope imaging, viral circuit mapping, and tissue clearing are required.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Ph.D. in neuroscience, neurobiology, neuroengineering, or a closely related field of study.

Additional qualifications

Experience related to optogenetics, fiber photometry, rodent behavioral assays, miniscope imaging, viral circuit mapping, and tissue clearing.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

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

  • 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 the state 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
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2 required (contact information only)

Faculty supervisor will request references if desired.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11224

Help contact: smleonard@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