Project Scientists (Open Rank)

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, invites applications for an open-rank Project Scientist position at Assistant, Associate, or Full rank. Rank will be determined by qualifications and accomplishments.

Appointments may be full-time or part-time and involve independent and collaborative research across AI, ML, circuits, robotics, and related fields. The position is based in Los Angeles, CA, and requires a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research experience and ability to conduct independent and collaborative work.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
• Record of scholarly publications, presentations, or related outputs.
• Qualifications appropriate to the proposed appointment rank (Assistant, Associate, or Full).

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in specialized ECE areas.
• Design, develop, and implement research methodologies, experiments, and models.
• Analyze and interpret results; contribute to publications and technical reports.
• Contribute to research proposals and grant applications.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, students, and external partners.
• Provide technical guidance to students and research team members.
• Present findings at conferences and professional meetings.
• Support coordination of research activities, planning, and reporting.
• Maintain high standards of research integrity, safety, and compliance.

Skills

Independent research

Collaborative teamwork

Scholarly communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist, Associate Project Scientist, Project Scientist

Salary range: $100,400 - $139,900

Application Window

Open date: October 14, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Jun 1, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 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

UCLA Samueli School of Engineering

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Open Rank Project Scientist - Assistant, Associate, and Full

Position Description

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering invites applications for an open-rank Project Scientist position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist level. Rank will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and professional accomplishments.

The department seeks highly motivated individuals to contribute to ongoing and emerging research initiatives across a broad range of areas within electrical and computer engineering. Areas of research may include, but are not limited to, artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer engineering, communications and signal processing, circuits and embedded systems, semiconductor devices, photonics, electromagnetics, robotics, control systems, and other related fields.

Successful candidates will work independently and collaboratively with faculty, researchers, students, and interdisciplinary research teams to advance the department's research objectives.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may vary depending on the research program, assigned projects, and appointment rank, and may include:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in specialized areas of electrical and computer engineering.
• Design, develop, and implement research methodologies, experiments, computational models, and analytical approaches.
• Analyze and interpret research findings and contribute to the preparation of scholarly publications, technical reports, and presentations.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals, grant applications, and other activities supporting externally funded research programs.
• Collaborate with faculty, research staff, graduate students, and external partners to achieve project objectives.
• Provide technical expertise and research guidance to students and other members of the research team, as appropriate.
• Present research findings at academic conferences, professional meetings, and other scientific forums.
• Support the coordination and execution of research activities, including project planning, documentation, and reporting.
• Maintain high standards of research integrity, safety, and compliance with applicable University policies and sponsor requirements.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (Required at Time of Application)

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in a field relevant to electrical and computer engineering.
• Ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to scholarly publications, research presentations, or other scientific outputs.
• Qualifications and research accomplishments appropriate to the proposed appointment rank.

Rank Considerations

Assistant Project Scientist

Candidates at the Assistant Project Scientist rank are expected to demonstrate the ability to make meaningful contributions to research projects, exercise independent scientific judgment, and develop a record of research accomplishments appropriate to their career stage.

Associate Project Scientist

Candidates at the Associate Project Scientist rank are expected to have an established record of research accomplishments, demonstrated expertise in their field, and the ability to independently undertake significant research responsibilities and contribute to the advancement of research programs.

Project Scientist (Full Rank)

Candidates at the Full Project Scientist rank are expected to demonstrate a substantial record of research accomplishments, advanced expertise in their area of specialization, and a high level of independence in conducting and advancing complex research activities. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to make significant contributions to established or emerging research programs.

Appointment Information

Appointments will be made at the Assistant Project Scientist, Associate Project Scientist, or Full Project Scientist rank, commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. Positions may be full-time or part-time, depending on programmatic needs and funding availability.

Appointments are subject to applicable University of California policies and procedures governing the Project Scientist series.

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.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
• UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life‑saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.
  Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
  Expand our reach as a global university
  Enhance our research and creative activities
  Elevate how we teach
  Become a more effective institution
  Prompt for candidates for recruitment:
  Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of three professional references who can speak to their research experience, scholarly accomplishments, technical expertise, and qualifications for the position. References may be contacted during the selection process.

Help contact

[e-mail]

About UCLA

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 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 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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affidate and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

Los Angeles, CA