Assistant Project Scientist
The University of California, Los Angeles
About this position
Position Overview
Position title: Asst. Project Scientist Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 37. The salary range for this position is $76,700- $97,600.
Application Deadline
Open date: May 27, 2026 Next review date:Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position Description
UCLA School of Dentistry is seeking to fill a 50% part-time Assistant Project Scientist position in the Insoon Chang Lab. The Assistant Project Scientist candidate will contribute to ongoing research projects on osteoimmunology and impaired periapical bone healing, particularly under systemic conditions such as diabetes. This position is a 12-month non-Senate appointment. The candidate will report directly to the Principal Investigator and will conduct experiments and analyze data under appropriate guidance. Specific Responsibilities Include: • Support the design and execution of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies investigating osteoimmune mechanisms regulating periapical bone healing and regeneration, including studies in diabetic disease models • Contribute to mechanistic studies focusing on immune–bone interactions (e.g., Th17/Treg balance, RANKL signaling, Wnt pathways) • Utilize rodent models of apical periodontitis, including disease models such as db/db or diet-induced diabetes models • Assist in mentoring junior lab members and supporting collaborative projects Additional Duties: • Participate in the preparation of manuscripts for publication • Collaborate and communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams • Ability to work independently on assigned projects • Completion of all required safety training as mandated by the campus Environmental Health & Safety Office and animal training. Minimum Qualifications: • Ph.D. in Bone Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Oral Biology, or a related field • Postdoctoral research experience in bone biology, immunology, osteoimmunology, or related disciplines, including experience with animal models • Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, and in vivo animal studies Additional Qualifications (Preferred): • Experience with systemic disease models such as diabetes • Familiarity with oral disease models (e.g., apical periodontitis, pulp biology, or periodontal disease) is preferred Technical Expertise: • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) • Small animal handling and care • Flow cytometry • Mammalian cell culture • Basic in vitro and in vivo experiments (e.g., RT-PCR, Western) • Micro–computed tomography (microCT) and histological analysis (e.g., TRAP staining, ImageJ) is preferred but not required; training opportunities are available. • Experience with RNA sequencing (bulk or single-cell) is preferred but not required; training opportunities are available Interest applicants should submit a current CV and cover letter via UC Recruit. Questions regarding this search should be directed to Meg Malasarte, Academic Personnel Director (mmalasarte@dentistry.ucla.edu)
Qualifications
Basic qualifications• Ph.D. in Bone Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Oral Biology, or a related field • Postdoctoral research experience in bone biology, immunology, osteoimmunology, or related disciplines, including experience with animal models • Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, and in vivo animal studies Additional qualifications• Experience with systemic disease models such as diabetes Preferred qualifications• Familiarity with oral disease models (e.g., apical periodontitis, pulp biology, or periodontal disease) is preferred
Application Requirements
Document requirementsCurriculum 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 required (contact information only) Please provide contact information for your references. Apply link:https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11056 Help contact:mmalasarte@dentistry.ucla.edu