Project Scientist: Advanced Microscopy & 4D Bioimaging AI

Position Overview

Assistant/Associate/Full Project Scientist – Instrumentation (Microscopy) in the Advanced Bio Imaging Center, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley.

Position title:

Project Scientist.

Salary range: $146,700 – $204,600 (based on UC academic salary scale).

Percent time: 100 %.

Anticipated start:
Winter/Spring 2026.

Position duration:
Initial appointment for one year, renewable based on performance and funding.

Open date:
February 24 2026.

Final date:
Sunday, May 31 2026.

The Advanced Bio Imaging Center (ABC) in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley seeks two Project Scientists at the Assistant, Associate, or full rank. The selected candidate will report to Professor Gokul Upadhyayula, with Professor Eric Betzig as an additional mentor. The role involves developing a foundation AI model that extracts biological insights from 4 D datasets of subcellular dynamics, advancing imaging to generate petabytes of targeted, high‑quality data, and supporting a team focused on moving cell biology from static cover slips to physiological systems.

• Design, build, and test a new high‑throughput adaptive‑optical inverted lattice light‑sheet microscope (iAO‑LLSM) to increase data acquisition throughput tenfold while maintaining optical performance.
• Use, maintain, and oversee operations of the two next‑generation multimodal optical scopes (MOSAIC) at ABC.
• Handle mounting of biological samples and collect 4/5D microscopy datasets.
• Collaborate with AI scientists, data engineers, instrumentation scientists, and biologists to generate high‑resolution microscopy data and develop the 4 D foundation model.
• Participate in national and international collaborations, present research at conferences, and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Occasionally lead initiatives to develop new projects.

Positions are eligible for full benefits.

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

Additional qualifications (required at time of start):

• Minimum of four years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Associate rank: minimum of eight years of post‑PhD research experience.
• Full rank: minimum of fourteen years of post‑PhD research experience.

Preferred qualifications
:

• PhD or equivalent in Physics, Chemical or Biological Engineering, Molecular & Cell Biology, Systems Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience or expertise in light microscopy, spectroscopy, or laser optics.
• Experience with adaptive optics and lattice light‑sheet microscopy.
• Experience designing and building custom microscopes.
• Ability to troubleshoot microscopy instruments, prepare samples, and design research methodology.
• Proficiency with CAD programs for instrument design (e.g., Autodesk Inventor or Solid Works).
• Ability to explain concepts to diverse audiences and oversee a laboratory space.
• Record of imaging, characterization, and analysis of live cells and tissues.
• Experience with data and image processing, evaluating image quality, and visualizing data.
• Experience creating figures and movies for publication.
• Experience collaborating across labs in various scientific areas.
• Experience executing large imaging projects (tens of terabytes to multi‑petabyte scale).
• Experience leading technicians.
• Ability to review research proposals and make recommendations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Innovative, able to synthesize ideas, exercise sound judgment, and take acceptable risks.

• Curriculum Vitae – most recent and updated.
• Cover Letter.
• Statement of Research – 250‑word summary of major research accomplishments and a brief statement highlighting experience relevant to key responsibilities.
• Three references (contact information only).

Job location:

Berkeley, CA.

Contact: harrisonmd.

For more information or application: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
05253.

University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 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.