Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist in Neurobiology

UC San Diego Academic Jobs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 76,700 - 201,900; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in San Diego is seeking an Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist in Neurobiology. The role involves conducting independent and collaborative research on neural circuits and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in Neurobiology, at least four years of postdoctoral experience, and a strong publication record. This position offers a competitive salary range and a supportive collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral experience in related areas.
• Strong background in neural circuits, genetics, or neurodevelopmental disorders is required.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments and research.
• Train students and others in the field.
• Lead and contribute to lab projects.
• Present at scientific meetings.
• Write reports, manuscripts, and grants.

Skills

Neurobiology

Research management

Experiment design

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Neurobiology or related field

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist in Neurobiology

Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $76,700-$201,900.

The posted UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position (Salary Scale Represented: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t37-b.pdf) (Salary Scale Non-represented: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/policy-covered-july-2025-scales/t37-a.pdf)

Application Window

Open date: March 18, 2026

Next review date: Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Mar 17, 2027 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 Neurobiology in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of California, San Diego (https://biology.ucsd.edu/) is conducting an open search for Project Scientists (non-tenured, Assistant, Associate or Full level). UC San Diego is seeking an experienced biologist in Neurobiology or a related field to carry out both independent and collaborative research projects. Research topics could include but are not limited to: neural circuits, neural transmitter switching, genetics, cholinergic transmission, axon guidance, and synapse formation and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Under supervision of the Principal Investigators, the Project Scientists will function independently, and the role includes:

• designing, managing and conducting experiments and research;
• training students and others in the field of study;
• leading and making innovative and significant contributions to lab project(s);
• participating and presenting at scientific meetings;
• writing scientific reports, manuscripts, grants for submission and/or publication.

The selected candidates will be part of a highly collaborative environment with exposure to multiple scientific disciplines and levels of researchers, including students and clinicians.

Appointment will be at the Assistant, Associate or Full Project Scientist level based on background and years of experience.

A link to full description of the Project Scientist series is provided for your review: https://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/PPM/docs/230-311.html

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Ph.D. in Neurobiology or related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral experience in one or more of the following areas: neural circuits, neural transmitter switching, genetics, cholinergic transmission, axon guidance, synapse formation, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Application Requirements

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Publication 1
• Publication 2
• Publication 3

Reference Requirements

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04472

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC San Diego

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.

The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at [phone] if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.

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.

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• “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

Job location

La Jolla, CA