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Project Scientist Position

Job #JPF11130
  • Psychiatry/Biobehavioral Sci / David Geffen School Of Medicine / UCLA

Position overview

Position title: Associate Project Scientist
Project Scientist
Salary range: $96,900-209,000

Application Window

Open date: June 30, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Jul 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Jul 30, 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 Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA currently has an opening for a Project Scientist (at mid-level or senior rank) to join the Integrated Substance Use and Addiction Programs (ISAP). ISAP comprises a group of multidisciplinary researchers in the areas of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, clinical intervention, health services, program evaluation, and policy-relevant research as well as a significant component related to training activities.

We are looking for a mid-career or senior Project Scientist with an established line of research on SUD treatment and recovery, including treatment access and utilization, health disparities, peer and community-based SUD recovery, and interventions to promote SUD recovery. The Project Scientist will be responsible for all aspects of leading their own research studies, including scientific oversight, project management, dissemination of study findings to appropriate outlets, and preparation of project reports to funders. In addition, the Project Scientist is expected to collaborate with other investigators at ISAP in developing new studies and supporting the planning, coordination, and monitoring of scope, requirements, budgets, implementation and conduct schedules/timelines, resources, risks, tasks, and deliverables of those studies. The Project Scientist will also be responsible for leading the development of grant proposals and scholarly manuscripts within the department and will participate in mentoring undergraduate students, pre- and postdoctoral trainees, and visiting scholars; contributing to the overall scientific direction and growth of ISAP. Service to the larger SUD field, such as having served as a grant reviewer for NIH, on journal editorial boards, and in professional organizations, is also required.

The position requires a Ph.D. in psychology or a related field in behavioral health, and a minimum of ten years’ of related research leadership and project management experience. Experience is demonstrated by a track record of securing external funding, including from NIH, foundations, or other sources; the ability to successfully manage multiple research studies; and a record of publications, including first-authored, and professional presentations commensurate with the level of appointment.

Salary and corresponding rank and step are dependent on the candidate’s professional experience, research record, funding record, and accomplishments. Interested applicants must submit: i) a cover letter outlining academic interests ii) curriculum vitae with bibliography; and iii) contact information for three potential references to the application portal at (UC Recruit). For more information, please contact Yih-Ing Hser at YHser@mednet.ucla.edu.

See Table 37B

T37 B

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 Medical School | Cultural North Star | UCLA Medical School at (Medical School | Cultural North Star | UCLA Medical School] (Medical School | Cultural North Star | UCLA Medical School).

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Ph.D. in psychology or a related field in behavioral health

Additional qualifications

Minimum of ten years’ of related research leadership and project management experience

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (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 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

  • Statement of Teaching (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/JPF11130

Help contact: klwilliams@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