Assistant Project Scientist - Hector Aguilar-Carreno Lab

Position overview

Salary range:
The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  Table 37B. The salary range for this position is $79,400-$92,200.

Application Window

Open date:
July 20, 2026

Next review date:
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

ASSISTANT PROJECT SCIENTIST - HECTOR AGUILAR-CARRENO LAB - UCLA MIMG

UCLA's Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a full-time Assistant Project Scientist position in the Hector Aguilar-Carreno lab. The Assistant Project Scientist candidate will perform research on viral immunology of respiratory viruses and develop vaccine or therapeutics against them.

The Assistant Project Scientist position is a 12-month non-Senate position. This series is assigned to appointees who make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in any academic discipline. Appointees in this series may be ongoing members of a research team or may be employed for a limited period of time to contribute high-level skills to a specific research or creative program.

Appointees in this series are not required to carry out independent research or to develop an independent research reputation.

Specific responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

* Develop and optimize novel vaccine candidates against pathogenic viruses of high human and/or veterinary concern - with work in BSL2, BSL2+ and BSL3 laboratories

* Conduct studies to determine the in vivo efficacy of novel vaccine candidates in mouse, hamster, or ferret models of viral infection

* Test therapeutics against pathogenic viruses of high human concern using viral inhibition or binding assays, and mouse models of viral infection

* Characterize existing or novel monoclonal antibodies specific to viral structural proteins

* Establish new protocols for mouse, hamster, and ferret models of viral infection

* Manage animal colony, including mouse breeding of lab strains and development of new strains

* Provide administrative support for animal studies, including experimental planning, IACUC protocol management, animal acquisition/transfers, and laboratory personnel training

* Provide administrative support for laboratory functions, including IBC protocol management and laboratory personnel training documentation

* Work with graduate students and other members of the lab to establish and utilize animal models of viral infection to determine the efficacy of antivirals or vaccines

* Manage undergraduate students and their projects

* Assist with preparation of grant proposals

* Preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Biomedical Sciences

* Preferred experience in virology or immunology, with a focus on respiratory pathogens

* At least 10 years of experience working with animal models

* At least 5 years of experience managing animal colonies

* Familiar with BSL2, BSL2+, and BSL3 procedures and laboratory work

* Experienced in developing technical documentation for IBC and IACUC protocols

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Qualifications

Basic qualifications

* Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Biomedical Sciences

* Preferred experience in virology or immunology, with a focus on respiratory pathogens

* At least 10 years of experience working with…