Project Scientist - Diaz-Ochoa

Position overview

Salary range :

Salary range : The salary range for this position is $76,700 - $97,600 ($38,350 - $48,800 50% FTE). "Off-scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

Application Window

Open date : August 29, 2025

Most recent review date : Friday, Sep 19, 2025 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, Dec 31, 2025 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 (UC) Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology seeks to hire an Assistant Project Scientist at 50% FTE. This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of bacterial infectious diseases. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator, design specific projects including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques, assist in overseeing research projects of technicians and students, including methods development, troubleshooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments.

Position duties include isolating neutrophils and macrophages from animal models of infectious disease, performing RNA-seq, and flow cytometry, on isolated cell types, and performing bioinformatic analyses on sequencing data. The candidate will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team and assist in writing proposals and progress reports for funding from federal agencies or other sources. The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field of host-microbe interactions and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. They will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. They may coordinate and / or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The role of this position is (a) to conduct and manage research projects, (b) to assist and collaborate with UC Davis researchers in developing new research projects and (c) to establish research programs.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his / her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project (e.g., Scientist) titles may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, etc), he / she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He / she will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH AND LABORATORY SERVICE (90%)

Research and laboratory activity (60%)

To design and manage experimental projects in both microbial pathogenesis and host immune responses to bacterial infections emphasizing the evaluation of the control of microbial pathogens by phagocytes. This includes (a) design new experimental protocols, (b) plan, conduct, and coordinate experiments, (c) review data obtained by lab members and assist in troubleshooting, (d) coordinate collaborative research projects involving scientists and / or clinical researchers at UC Davis and other research institutes, (e) assist principal investigator (PI) with preparation of progress reports, grant proposals, animal protocols, and budgets, (f) assist PI in overseeing lab technicians, graduate students, and junior research fellows.

Publication (20%)

The candidate will publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, books and other outlets either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (10%)

The candidate will assist in acquiring proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The candidate will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies. The candidate will interact with funding agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his / her specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups.

When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and / or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

The candidate will engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies.

The candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Ph.D.in Microbiology and infectious diseases with at least 4-5 years of postdoctoral experience. The following research experience is required for this position : expertise in mouse models of bacterial infection, RNA-seq, bench expertise in molecular biology methods of RNA, and DNA isolations and gene expression analysis, purification and functional characterization of primary macrophage and neutrophil populations, and ability to culture and generate recombinant bacterial strains. Further, the candidate should have animal handling experience with mice, including breeding and colony maintenance and training for work in Biosafety Level 3 and Animal Biosafety Level 3. Demonstrated ability to write and obtain grant and fellowship funding with supervision is required.

Additional qualifications

(required at time of start)

Expertise in animal and cellular infections with pathogenic strains of either Brucella or Salmonella.

Preferred qualifications

(other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

Experience in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds in biomedical research and data analyses. Experience and success in writing grants.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter (Optional)

Statement of Research (Optional)

Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form .

Reference requirements

• 4-6 required (contact information only)

Apply link :

https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07276

Help contact : rbailey@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

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.

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http : / / breathefree.ucdavis.edu / ).

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 for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at : http : / / www.uscis.gov / e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan : "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement , and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400 .

UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) . There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings . UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come .

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.

Job location

Davis, CA