Assistant Project Scientist - Pavement Research Center; UCDAVIS

Position overview

Salary range: $97,000 - $124,300. "Off-scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

Open date: May 1, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Apr 19, 2027 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.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in their academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. The appointee may engage in University and public service, but does not have teaching responsibilities.

Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, etc.), the appointee is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. The appointee will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status.

The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception in accordance with the University policy.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1) RESEARCH (90%)

Research activity (70%)

• Makes significant, original, and creative contributions to research projects as part of the research program at the UC Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
• Plans, directs, guides, coordinates, supervises, and carries out research in all aspects, including creating project work plans, experiment design, laboratory and field testing, data analysis, model development, simulation, and reporting.
• Writes and edits project technical memoranda, research reports, and guidelines.
• Participates in technical conferences, symposiums, seminars, expert task groups, and meetings to present research findings.
• Participates in technology and research scanning activities to identify results, methods, procedures, equipment, materials, and other pavement technology related to the Pavement Research Center program and projects.
• Serves as Project Manager for field and laboratory testing programs, assisting the Principal Investigator with experimental design, preparation of test plans, participating in and supervising laboratory testing operations, including training and mentoring students and research and development engineers, supervising overall quality of data, data processing and analysis, development and characterization of pavement materials, and forensic investigations of field test sections.

Publication (15%)

• Publishes research in peer-reviewed journals and peer-reviewed national and international conferences either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (5%)

• As part of the Pavement Research Center's mission to pursue broader funding sources and sustainable infrastructure research, the Project Scientist will help in writing proposals to acquire additional local, national, and international research projects on various topics. They will assist in writing proposals and resource development for funding from Caltrans and other state agencies, federal organizations such as the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Science Foundation, and other relevant sources, including industry and foundations.

2) PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)

Participates in professional societies, including membership on committees, educational organizations, and conferences appropriate to the appointee's specific field of pavement engineering, construction materials characterization, geotechnical engineering, and sustainable transportation. Serves as a reviewer of research proposals, research reports, journal manuscripts, technical presentations, professional publications, and other scientific publications related to the appointee's areas of expertise. Attends seminars, meetings, and educational functions to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups.

3) UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

Engages in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position. The appointee will engage in other…