Assistant / Associate Project Scientist - Protein Engineer - Innovative Genomics Institute

Position overview

Position title :

Assistant or Associate Project Scientist

Salary range :

The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position :

https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / 2025-26 / represented-july-2025-scales / t37-b.pdf

The current full-time base salary range for this position is $76,700 - $115,400.

"Off scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time : 100%

Anticipated start : Fall 2025

Position duration :

One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds

Application Window

Open date : September 24, 2025

Most recent review date : Wednesday, Oct 8, 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 : Friday, Oct 24, 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 Innovate Genomics Institute (IGI) is presently seeking a highly motivated Assistant or Associate Project Scientist to perform research on molecular systems enabling the tissue-targeted therapeutic delivery of genome editing reagents. This interdisciplinary work will be performed as part of a team at UC Berkeley, centered in the laboratory of Ross Wilson, IGI Scientific Director of Therapeutic Delivery.

Specific research activities will involve protein engineering to generate novel macromolecules supporting development of improved CRISPR-based genetic therapies. Major tasks will include project design, molecular design and cloning, recombinant expression from multiple hosts, protein purification, enzyme engineering, chemical biology, quality assessment, and preparation of novel genome editing enzymes for use in tissue culture experiments.

The Project Scientist will also collaborate with IGI investigators at UCB, UCSF, and other IGI-affiliated universities in the effort to advance the delivery of genome editing for therapeutic use. In addition to their own efforts, this Project Scientist will guide genome editing efforts of one or more research technicians and / or postdoctoral scholars. The Project Scientist will report directly to Ross Wilson.

Duties for this position include :

• Design and optimize expression cassettes for targeted host expression.
• Expression & purification of novel, engineered protein domains to enable targeted CRISPR delivery (ie. to target hematopoietic stem cells, T cells, and / or glioma cells, etc).
• Design and execute in vitro assays to validate engineered domains.
• Obtain consistent and reliable data, maintaining electronic lab notebook (ELN) records.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks in parallel in order to meet program-based milestones.
• Train one or more postdoctoral researchers and / or one or more technicians.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, postdocs, and students at partner universities and provide input to their research teams.
• Design and develop useful and practical intellectual property.
• Contribute to high-quality, high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Attend scientific and technical conferences to discuss accomplishments at the IGI and establish relationships with other leaders in the field.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

PhD or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications

(required at time of start)

At least two years post-PhD research experience

Preferred qualifications

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements

Apply link :

https : / / aprecruit.berkeley.edu / JPF05079

Help contact : hailey.hunter@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley 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, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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.

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.

Job location

Berkeley, CA