Assistant Project Scientist – Yvonne Chen lab

UCLA’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a full-time Assistant Project Scientist position in the Yvonne Chen Lab.

The Assistant Project Scientist candidate will perform independent research on cancer immunotherapy. The Assistant Project Scientist will also be responsible for supervising junior members in the lab and coordinating inter-lab collaboration projects. This position is a 12-month non-Senate position.

Start date: July 1, 2026 or as soon as mutually agreeable.

The candidate will report directly to the Principal Investigator and will successfully carry out experiments and analyze the data generated with minimal to no supervision.

Specific responsibilities include:
* Design and execution of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies on developing new cell-based therapies.
* Supervising junior lab members and coordinating inter-lab collaboration projects.

Additional Duties:
* Oversee technicians, undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral trainees in the lab.
* Preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
* Required to communicate well with other scientists worldwide.
* Ability to work on multiple projects efficiently and effectively.
* Ability to work independently on scientific projects.
* The candidate will be required to complete all appropriate safety training as mandated by the campus’s Environmental Health & Safety Office

Minimum Qualifications:
* This position requires a Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Engineering, or related fields, and a minimum of 5 years of post-graduate experience working with human immune system and tumor models in mice (xenograft or syngeneic).
* At least 5 years of post-graduate research experience in immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and animal study in an academic setting or equivalent.

Additional Qualifications:
* Extensive experience in recombinant DNA techniques, PCR, cell culturing techniques, flow cytometry, animal research, cancer research, and immunology research.
* Ability to handle several projects simultaneously.

Interested candidates should apply on-line by May 8, 2026 to UC Recruit – JPF10953.

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.

* This position requires a Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Engineering, or related fields, and a minimum of 5 years of post-graduate experience working with human immune system and tumor models in mice (xenograft or syngeneic).
* At least 5 years of post-graduate research experience in immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and animal study in an academic setting or equivalent.

* Extensive experience in recombinant DNA techniques, PCR, cell culturing techniques, flow cytometry, animal research, cancer research, and immunology research.
* Ability to handle several projects simultaneously.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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