New

Open Rank Project Scientist Position - Donaldson Lab - Microbiome Vaccine Program (MVP) of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center at UCLA

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
United States, California, Los Angeles
Mar 05, 2026
Position overview Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 37B. Application Window Open date: March 5, 2026 Next review date: Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date. Position description OPEN RANK PROJECT SCIENTIST RECRUITMENT UCLA's Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a full-time Open Rank Project Scientist position. The Project Scientist candidate will perform research on gastric microbiota, interactions with gastric epithelia, and colonization resistance against Helicobacter species. This role is for a project in the Gregory Donaldson Lab within the Microbiome Vaccine Program (MVP) of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center at UCLA. The Project Scientist position is a 12-month non-Senate position. Specific responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to: Designing and implementing technical approaches for microbiological culturing from human samples from different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Tissue culture of epithelial cells in monolayers and organoids, developing, validating, and using co-culture assays with both bacteria and epithelial cells in anaerobic and microaerophilic atmospheres. Overseeing organization, storage, and record keeping for a bacterial strain collection associated with project. Implementing animal models of colonization resistance. Coordinating efforts across laboratories for sharing of samples, reagents, and protocols Training junior members of the lab on techniques in microbiology, molecular biology, tissue culture, and animal work. Assist with preparation of bi-annual progress reports for the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and other overseers of the project. Assist with preparation of patents and/or manuscripts for publication. Minimum Qualifications: * Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Microbiology or related field * 4 years post-PhD experience in culturomics, microbiome screening, or related topics * Experience with anaerobic bacteria and animal models * Preferred experience with Helicobacter species Cultural North Star The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what's right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at: Cultural North Star. Anti-Racism Roadmap The David Geffen School of Medicine Anti-racism roadmap is our co-created path to ensuring racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to actively dismantling structural racism in our organization as described in more detail at: Anti-Racism Roadmap. Qualifications Basic qualifications * Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Microbiology or related field * 4 years post-PhD experience in culturomics, microbiome screening, or related topics * Experience with anaerobic bacteria and animal models Preferred qualifications * Preferred experience with Helicobacter species Application Requirements Document requirements Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter (Optional) Statement of Research (Optional) 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. The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows: 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 Reference requirements 3-5 required (contact information only) Applicants will be asked to name references to complete their application, but the references will not be contacted until later in the review process. Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10893 Help contact: aouchi@mednet.ucla.edu 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: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Job location Los Angeles, CA