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Assistant/Associate Project Scientist - Therapeutic Genome Editor - 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 - $102,500. "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: Late fall 2025

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

Application Window
Open date: September 17, 2025

Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Oct 17, 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 Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a multidisciplinary research institution focused on genome engineering and potential applications in agriculture, microbiology and biomedicine. It is a joint venture between UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, with the administrative operations located on the Berkeley campus.

The 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 generation of novel editing and delivery strategies supporting development of CRISPR-based genetic therapies for diseases of the blood. Major tasks will include project design, molecular design and cloning, genome editing assays to be performed in tissue culture and using animal models, evaluation of editing outcomes, assessment of phenotypic outcomes in animal studies.

The Assistant or Associate 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 editing and delivery strategies to address diseases of the blood.
• Conception of novel genome editing formulations for targeted CRISPR delivery (i.e. to target hematopoietic stem cells and/or immune cells).
• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate candidate strategies for editing & delivery.
• 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, MD, or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
At least two years post-PhD research experience

Preferred qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in biological, medical, or biomedical discipline.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally as required.
• Experience designing, executing, and completing projects to meet milestones.
• Experience leading development of novel candidate genetic therapies addressing blood disease.
• Experience with CAR-T cell therapy, especially via CRISPR-based engineering.
• Experience with tissue culture of cells relevant to bioengineering and/or genetic
  therapeutic development.
• Experience with culture of primary human cells related to blood disease (i.e. immune cells and/or hematopoietic stem cells).
• Experience developing in vitro assays to validate and quantify editor activity.
• Experience with DNA and RNA NGS platforms to validate in vivo genome editing.
• Experience with droplet digital PCR for assessment of genome editing outcomes.
• The ability to mentor and guide other team members in protein engineering and purification techniques. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with, to efficiently work with, and to maintain external collaborations with a diverse group of researchers.

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

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05106

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.

• "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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05106