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Assistant Project Scientist - Developmental Neurobiology - Neuroscience Department

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t37-b.pdf. A reasonable full-time salary estimate for this position is $76,700-$89,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Winter 2025/Spring 2026

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

Application Window
Open date: September 27, 2025

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

Final date: Tuesday, Oct 28, 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 Neuroscience Department at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for an Assistant Project Scientist in the Bateup Lab, in the area of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The person in this position will work on a project seeking to understand how mutations in neurodevelopmental disorder risk genes affect early cortical development. We use human pluripotent stem cells with defined mutations in disease-risk genes and differentiate these into human cortical organoids. Our goal is to uncover the molecular and cellular basis of how mutations in these genes disrupt brain development and function in organoid models.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining human pluripotent stem cell cultures, including proper quality control


• Differentiating stem cells into human cortical organoids and culturing them for up to a year


• Performing calcium imaging of neurons and glia in 2D and 3D cultures


• Analyzing neuronal development and morphology using anatomical and imaging techniques


• Analyzing synaptic development and function using anatomical and electrophysiological techniques


• Analyzing data and preparing figures for talks and presentations


• Contributing to writing of lab research grants


• Pursuing publication of research in peer-reviewed journals


• Developing and troubleshooting new related research directions and techniques


• Training and mentoring junior lab members


• Supervising an SRA working on this project


• Communicating progress and findings to team members at UC Berkeley and in the larger collaborative group


• Giving oral or poster presentations on this work at conferences

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

Preferred qualifications

• PhD or equivalent international degree in Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology or related field


• Experience publishing lead author primary research in peer-reviewed journals.


• Experience culturing human stem cells


• Experience differentiating and maintaining human brain organoids


• Experience performing neuronal calcium imaging and analysis


• Experience with biochemical assays including western blotting


• Experience with immunostaining, confocal imaging and image analysis


• Strong understanding of neural development and neurodevelopmental disorders


• Self-motivated, interactive, and meticulous approach to tasks and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team


• Ability to mentor and train junior trainees (i.e. undergraduates and graduate students)


• Strong communication skills, including experience with oral and poster presentations

Application Requirements

Document requirements

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


• Cover Letter (Optional)


• 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

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05075

Help contact: bateup@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/JPF05075