Project Scientist (all levels) in interdisciplinary biotechnology research

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 78,500 - 176,500; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for Project Scientist positions across multiple disciplines. This pooled recruitment covers full, associate, and assistant ranks with start Fall 2025 or later and start window through Sep 30, 2026.

Appointees contribute to interdisciplinary teams on systems biology, materials science, cognitive neuroscience, and engineering projects. Positions may be part-time to full-time depending on funding and needs.

Qualifications

• Basic qualification: You must possess a doctorate in a relevant discipline at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to ICB projects as part of interdisciplinary teams.
• Engage in research across multiple disciplines on bioscience and engineering topics.

Education

Doctorate in relevant discipline

Job description

Position Overview

Position title: Project Scientist

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position at 100% time is $78,500 - $176,500

Percent time: 5% - 100%

Anticipated start: Fall 2025 or later

Position duration: Typically 1 year with possibility of extension, but could be less than 1 year due to restrictions on funding

Application Window

Open date: December 9, 2025

Most recent review date: Monday, Apr 20, 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: Wednesday, Sep 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 Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB) is an Army-sponsored University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). The ICB is a uniquely interdisciplinary research alliance led by the University of California, Santa Barbara, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California Institute of Technology, and partners from the Army and industry.

ICB research is driven by more than 50 premier faculty working together with graduate students, project scientist, specialists, and professional researchers as interdisciplinary teams of biologists, chemists, physicists, psychologists, physicians, social scientists, and engineers. These teams develop biologically inspired, revolutionary technological innovations in systems and synthetic biology, materials science and engineering, biotechnology tools and cognitive neuroscience.

The ICB is actively seeking Project Scientists (in the full, Associate, and Assistant ranks) to commit effort on ICB projects. This is a large, pooled recruitment covering many disciplines and research foci. Screening of applicants is ongoing and will continue as needed through September 30, 2026. The number of positions varies depending on the needs of the department. The use of a pooled recruitment does not guarantee that an open position exists at the time you are applying. Positions may range from part-time to full-time.

Appointees to the Project Scientists make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project. Appointees may be ongoing members of a research team, or may contribute high-level skills to a specific project for a limited time.

The ICB has a vast research portfolio, indicated by (but not limited to) the following to projects and disciplines:

• Systems and synthetic biology
• Control and dynamical systems
• Photonic and electronic materials
• Electronic materials and devices
• Cellular structural materials
• Biotechnology and biotechnology tools
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Psychological and brain sciences
• Medical
• Biomedical
• Nanofluidics and microfluidics
• Biomimetics and biofilms
• Social media analysis and predictive modeling
• Molecular, cellular, ecosystems, marine science, and biology research
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Materials
• Computer Science
• Chemistry and biochemistry
• Microfabrication
• Nanofabrication
• Atomic force
• Microscopy
• Microfluidics
• Physics
• Computer Science

The ICB has other pooled recruitments that may be of interest to potential applicants, including:

Assistant and Associate Specialists https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03009

Junior Specialists https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03008

Department

https://icb.ucsb.edu

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application): You must possess a doctorate in a relevant discipline as listed in the position description at time of application.

Preferred qualifications: Previous research experience in a relevant discipline as listed in the position description.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Samples of Scholarly Work - 1-3 samples of published, in print, submitted, or in-preparation scholarly work (article, book chapter, book, writing sample, etc.).

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

References for finalist(s) may be contacted by phone/email after interviews.

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03010

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Santa Barbara

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.

• "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 or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affimative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health 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.

Job location

Santa Barbara, CA