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Assistant/Associate Project Scientist - Host/pathogen interactions and intergenerational communication of stress responses - Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Position overview
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the current salary scale(s) here: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t37-b.pdf. The current base salary range for this position is $76,700 - $97,700. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation above the published scale, may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Spring 2026

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

Application Window
Open date: October 1, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, Nov 1, 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 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks applications for an Assistant/Associate Project Scientist in the Dillin Lab, in the areas of host/pathogen interactions and intergenerational communication of stress responses.

The Dillin lab studies stress signaling paradigms in C. elegans, tissue culture, and mouse models. We are dissecting the signaling pathways between organelles, cells, tissues, and organisms that contribute to stress resistance. We are looking to develop assays for stress biology related to infection and pharmacological or genetic induction of various stress response pathways.

Job Responsibilities:

The Project Scientist will develop assays focused on understanding how C. elegans activate stress responses following exposure to pathogenic bacteria and how these stress responses are communicated within an organism and from parents to progeny.

Key objectives include the development of new methods for studying the release and sensing of intergenerational signals that activate stress responses in offspring and developing new models using C. elegans genetics and pharmacological approaches. Another objective is to study how defects in these signaling pathways impact immunity. Other key questions involve understanding what bacterial factors are sensed to initiate immune and stress signaling using bacterial genetics and other approaches. Building on this, we are aiming to develop a theory on stress communication from one generation to the next, resulting in organismal alterations in stress resistance and immunity.

Specific Job Duties:

1. Participate in background research, the analysis and interpretation of results.
2. Prepare written and oral summary reports [internal and external].
3. Help to advise a group of junior researchers.
4. Attend and actively support scientific seminars, workshops, working team meetings, and other venues for presentations of results and will develop and maintain collaborative research relationships.
5. Pursue publication of research in peer-reviewed journals.
6. May pursue additional funding opportunities consistent with existing and future research programs and goals.

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD (or equivalent international degree)

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
At least 2 years of post-PhD research experience.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of post-PhD research experience.
• Experience with C. elegans stress biology, particularly stress responses elicited by bacterial pathogen exposure, such as oxidative stress and hypoxia responses, and intergenerational communication of stress responses.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated expertise in cell biology, genetics, and metabolism.
• Expertise with methods such as brightfield and confocal microscopy, mRNA-seq, qPCR, measurement of cellular functions such as mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, and genetic screens/genetic analysis.
• Able to develop and troubleshoot new theoretical ideas and is enthusiastic about pursuing exciting and fundamental evolutionary theoretical questions.

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.
  (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05128

Help contact: larry.joe@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/JPF05128