Assistant Specialist Position - Jing Wen Lab Job Los Angeles area,California USA,Research/Development

Position Overview

Salary range: $76,700-$89,000 (at 100% time). The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step Table 37B.

Application Window

Open date:
February 13, 2026

Next review date:
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date:
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position Description

UCLA's Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a part‑time Assistant Project Scientist position. The candidate will lead research at the intersection of data science and translational biomedicine, focusing on molecular tracking of HIV infection and AI‑enabled enzyme therapeutic design. The position is a 12‑month non‑Senate position.

Specific Responsibilities

Lead bioinformatic analysis of next‑generation sequencing datasets to perform barcoded viral clonal tracking and infected‑cell traffic analysis in humanized mouse and non‑human primate models, integrating longitudinal and tissue‑compartment data to define reservoir dynamics and clonal evolution.

Develop and implement a generative machine learning platform to identify key immunosuppressive metabolites, map metabolic bottlenecks, and prioritize candidate enzyme therapeutics to overcome tumor‑associated immune resistance.

Contribute to grant development, including experimental design, data analysis, preliminary data generation, and preparation of figures and technical sections for NIH and other funding agencies.

Prepare and co‑author manuscripts for peer‑reviewed scientific journals, including data interpretation, figure development, and revision in response to reviewer feedback.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, data science, or a closely related field.

A minimum of four years of relevant postdoctoral or professional research experience, as applicable.

Cultural North Star

The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what's right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Anti‑Racism Roadmap

The David Geffen School of Medicine Anti‑racism roadmap is our co‑created path to ensuring racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to actively dismantling structural racism in our organization as described in more detail at: .

Basic Qualifications

Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, data science, or a closely related field.

A minimum of four years of relevant postdoctoral or professional research experience, as applicable.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life‑saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to.

The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.
Prompt for candidates for recruitment:
Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023‑28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service.

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