Project Scientist - Coffey Lab

Position overview

Salary range :

Salary range : The salary range for this position is $76,700 - $115,400. "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 : October 15, 2025

Next review date : Wednesday, Nov 5, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date : Tuesday, Mar 31, 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

NATURE AND PURPOSE

Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the Project Scientist contributes to independent and collaborative research on arboviruses including transmission dynamics and viral fitness, vaccine development, and vertebrate immune responses. The appointee will design and execute complex experiments, analyze and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations, oversee laboratory operations, mentor trainees, and contribute to grant proposals. The position requires advanced scientific expertise, creative leadership in experimental design, and the ability to coordinate research subcomponents within larger NIH-funded projects on mosquito-borne viral pathogens.

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 in Specialized Areas (90%)

Research Activity (60%)

• Develop, implement, and refine experimental approaches to study mosquito-borne viruses (e.g., chikungunya virus [CHIKV], St. Louis encephalitis virus [SLEV]).
• Plan and conduct animal model studies (mosquito, murine, avian, non-human primate) to investigate viral cross-protection, vector competence, transmission dynamics, and antibody-mediated immunity.
• Apply advanced virological, immunological, and molecular techniques to evaluate viral transmission, immune responses, and vaccine efficacy.
• Execute competition assays to define viral fitness and passive antibody transfer studies to define correlates of protection and disease enhancement.
• Perform complex statistical and computational analyses of virological, immunological, and viral sequencing datasets.
• Oversee daily laboratory operations including biosafety compliance and facility and equipment operations and maintenance.
• Mentor staff and trainees in experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Coordinate collaborative research efforts across internal teams and external partners.

Publication (20%)

Grant Acquisition (10%)

II : Professional Competence and Service (5%)

III : University and Public Service (5%)

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Minimum Qualifications :

Preferred qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications :

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

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

Apply link : JPF07354

Help contact : 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 ().

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 : e-verify

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Job location

Davis, CA