Assistant, Associate, or Full Research Scientist/s (2026) Organized Research Units (Multi) Univ[...]

Position title: Assistant, Associate, or Full Research Scientist

Salary range: $93,400-$270,000. Minimum pay determined by rank/step at appointment. See UCOP salary scales.

Application window: Open date March 1, 2026; next review date Monday, Mar 16, 2026 at 11:59pm; final date Sunday, Feb 28, 2027 at 11:59pm. Applications accepted until final date. After review date considered only if position not filled.

Office of Research Affairs at UC San Diego supports campus ORUs. Research Scientists are non‑tenured, extramurally funded, academic researchers who develop and lead independent research and creative programs similar to Ladder Rank Professors. Responsibilities include serving as Principal Investigators on extramural grants, generating high‑caliber publications, engaging in university and public service, continuously demonstrating independent and creative research activity of high quality and significance, and garnering scholarly reputation.

Appointments and duration vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding.

Series represented by UAW. Information on collective bargaining available at the UCOP website.

Research ORUs – https://research.ucsd.edu/ORU/index.html

Basic qualifications (required at time of application): Doctorate degree related to specific specialization needs of the research unit.

• Curriculum Vitae: most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• Reference Requirements: 3–5 references (contact information only) – provide contact information only for 3 references.

Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04449

Help contact: oru-academics@ucsd.edu

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 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 prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Click for more information on Assembly Bill-810. Click for more information on Senate Bill-791.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH
• UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

San Diego, CA