Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist Regenerative Neuroscience Research

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego in San Diego, CA invites applications for a Project Scientist in the Ophthalmology department. The role focuses on molecular mechanisms of retinal disorders, studying resilience in degenerating cell types, and contributing to retinal neuron regeneration research.

The selected candidate will mentor students and staff, draft manuscripts, and participate in grant writing while advancing the project goals. Appointments at Assistant/Associate/Full level depend on experience.

Qualifications

• PhD or MD/PhD in Neuroscience, Developmental or Cell Biology or other health-related fields.
• 5+ years experience in generating, breeding, and genotyping transgenic organisms.
• 5+ years experience in brain and retinal histological techniques (IHC and in situ) and/or working with iPSC-derived retinal organoids.
• 4+ years experience using Visium/Xenium-based spatial transcriptomics.
• 2+ years experience generating and analyzing single-cell RNA-Seq data from retinal tissue and organoids.

Responsibilities

• Perform studies related to retinal degenerative diseases and regeneration mechanisms.
• Provide onsite teaching and mentoring of students and staff.
• Draft manuscripts, prepare presentations, and present at conferences.
• Participate in grant writing and proposal development.

Education

PhD or MD/PhD in Neuroscience, Developmental or Cell Biology or other health-related fields

Tools

Visium/Xenium spatial transcriptomics

single-cell RNA-Seq analysis

iPSC-derived retinal organoids

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Project Scientist

Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $74,100 - $113,600. 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 the position: Project Scientist

Application Window

Open date: August 24, 2026

Most recent review date: Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Aug 24, 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 University of California San Diego, Department of Ophthalmology, is committed to academic excellence among faculty, staff, and students and seeks to recruit project scientists wishing to join an established team of scientists that is researching molecular mechanisms that confer resilience on cell types that selectively degenerate in inherited retinal disorders and control retinal ganglion cell regeneration and postnatal hypothalamic neurogenesis.

The selected candidates will be responsible for performing studies and will provide onsite teaching and mentoring of students and staff. In addition, the selected candidates will draft manuscripts, prepare presentations, present at conferences and participate in grant writing.

Appointments 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: Project Scientist (APM-311)

Department: https://oph.ucsd.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Candidates must have a PhD or MD/PhD in Neuroscience, Developmental or Cell Biology or other health-related fields.

Preferred qualifications

• Candidates with at least 5 years experience in generating, breeding, and genotyping transgenic are preferred.
• Candidate with at least 5 years of experience in brain and retinal histological techniques (immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization) and/or working with iPSC-derived retinal organoid preparations are preferred.
• Candidates with at least 4 years of experience using Visium/Xenium-based spatial transcriptomics are preferred.
• Candidates with at least 2 years experience in generating and analyzing single-cell RNA-Seq data from both primary retinal tissue and retinal organoids are preferred.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

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

San Diego, CA