Project Scientist - Tan Lab

Role details

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $100,400 – $111,400 annually; hourly $48.09 - $53.36

Application Window

Open date: October 19, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

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

Final date: Monday, Oct 18, 2027 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

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% EFFORT)

Research activity (75%)

The appointee will help define research goals with the PI and will design and conduct studies of cell-material interactions. The appointee will develop and optimize biomaterial formulations and cell-processing workflows, including formulation composition, delivery conditions, exposure duration, storage conditions, and recovery procedures. Appropriate untreated, process, and material-interference controls will distinguish biological effects from processing injury and assay artifacts.

The appointee will culture mammalian cells and develop quantitative assays of viability, apoptosis, metabolic activity, phenotype, proliferation after recovery, and cell-type-specific function. Longitudinal storage and recovery studies will measure recovered cell yield, the viability of recovered cells, and retention of functional performance. Microscopy, flow cytometry, plate-based assays, and other appropriate analytical methods will support these studies.

The appointee will interpret results, troubleshoot failures, and plan follow-up experiments. The appointee will establish reproducibility across independent cell preparations and material batches, maintain traceable records and datasets, and prepare protocols and data packages for milestone decisions and collaborative testing. The appointee may supervise students or technicians in methods

development and analysis. Research productivity will be assessed by original scientific contributions, experimental rigor, reproducibility, progress toward PI-defined milestones, and the quality of protocols and datasets

Publication (10%)

The appointee will lead or contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts with the PI and collaborators. Responsibilities will include analysis, preparation of figures and methods, interpretation, manuscript drafting and revision, and responses to peer review. The appointee will document individual contributions and prepare supporting datasets and protocols for dissemination consistent with project

and University requirements.

Grant Acquisition (5%)

The appointee will contribute scientific rationale, preliminary data, experimental plans, methods, and

figures to research funding proposals. The appointee will assist the PI with technical progress reports

and scientific responses to project reviews. Sponsor interactions and changes to project scope or

budgets will occur under the direction of the PI and appropriate University offices.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% EFFORT)

The appointee will maintain and expand expertise through relevant literature, seminars, workshops, and technical training. The appointee will present findings at laboratory meetings, collaborative scientific meetings, and professional conferences as appropriate. Participation in professional societies and scientific peer review will be encouraged when appropriate. Professional activity will be

assessed through presentations, application of relevant methods, and contributions to scientific exchange.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0% EFFORT)

University and public service are encouraged but are not required for this appointment. No University or public service duties are assigned, and classroom teaching is not an expectation of this position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Research experience - culturing mammalian cells; experience conducting quantitative assays of cell viability, health or function; and experience collecting and analyzing biological experimental data.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

PhD or equivalent foreign doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, materials science, pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, molecular biology or a closely related field.

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

Experience with biomaterials, including hydrogels or polymer formulations and cell-material interactions; microscopy, flow cytometry or plate-based cell assays; mentoring students or technicians; grant proposal preparation.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• 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

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link

Help contact: [email protected]

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.

• “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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, 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

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 or 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.

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 is also a national leader in inclusive practice. 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.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

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