Assistant/ Associate Project Scientist - Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego’s Optical and Infrared Laboratory (OIRLab) seeks an Assistant Project Scientist to advance cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation for major ground-based observatories, including the Keck Observatory. The role involves design, development, integration, assembly, and testing of advanced optical and infrared instruments with a strong emphasis on hands-on engineering.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team, contribute to system-level engineering, and collaborate

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics/Astronomy, or Engineering.
• 3+ years or more of engineering and laboratory experience.

Education

Ph.D. Physics/Astronomy/Engineering

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist - FY (non-senate)

Associate Project Scientist - FY (non-senate)

Salary range: A reasonable salary estimate for this position is $92,200-$106,100.

The posted UC academic salary scales, Academic salaries | UCOP, set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position (T37 B)

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Application Window

Open date: August 27, 2026

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

Final date: Thursday, Aug 26, 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 UC San Diego Optical and Infrared Laboratory (OIRLab) seeks an Assistant Project Scientist to support the development of cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation for major ground-based observatories, including the W. M. Keck Observatory and other leading facilities. The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team on the design, development, integration, assembly, and testing of advanced optical and infrared instruments. The position requires a strong engineering background and hands-on experience in one or more areas of optics, optomechanics, mechanical systems, electronics, instrumentation design, and system assembly. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to some of the world's most advanced astronomical instruments and to work at the forefront of observational astronomy and instrumentation technology.

At UC San Diego, Project Scientists are academic researchers who are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research team, but are not necessarily leaders of the research team. They are not required to carry out independent research or develop an independent research reputation but will publish and carry out research or creative programs with supervision by a member of the Professor or Professional Research series. Project Scientists may not serve as a Principal Investigator but may serve as Co-Principal Investigators with members of the Professor or Research Scientist series. University and public service are encouraged but not required, and they do not have formal teaching responsibilities. Appointment durations vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Ph.D. Physics/Astronomy/Engineering

Preferred qualifications

3+ years or more of engineering and laboratory experience.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

3 reference contacts

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.

* "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