Open Department Positions

Postdoctoral Fellow

Posting Date: 02-20-2026

Position Summary

The Pokorski Lab at the University of California, San Diego is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join our team at the interface of polymer science and synthetic biology. This position is intended for a recent PhD graduate who has not yet completed a prior postdoctoral appointment and is eager to pursue interdisciplinary research in biodegradable materials. Please send application materials to: jpokorski@ucsd.edu as a single pdf file with the subject line “Biocomposite Postdoctoral Position”. 

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Research Administrator 3 (Hybrid)

Posting Date: 01-14-2026

Position Summary

Filing Deadline: Wed 1/21/2026

DESCRIPTION

This is a professional position at the experienced level of the Research Administrator Series. The incumbent is an experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions.

Incumbent provides analytical and financial support in proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. Involves activities associated with forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: coordinating and identifying and developing and/or presenting proposals, contracts and other agreements; reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award/subcontract issuance and administration.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Through understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

  • Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.

  • Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

  • Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.

  • Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.

  • Stays current on compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

  • Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills to interact with diverse individuals and groups.

  • Knowledgeable about Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.

  • Requires thorough knowledge in OMB circulars such as Universal Guidelines, A-21, A110 and principles of cost accounting standards, including allowability, allocability, and reasonableness, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines.

  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment with overlapping deadlines and short lead times and maintain a high level of attention to detail, and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy.

  • Proficiency working with computer and information management systems.

  • Experienced with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, cooperative agreements.

  • Proficiency in utilizing system reports, data extraction, and use pivot tables or similar experience using other financial reporting tools.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Job is contingent on clear background check.

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Assistant Project Scientist

Posting Date: 06-16-2026

Position Summary

POSITION OVERVIEW

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist

Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $90,500-$95,100. The posted UC academic salary scales (Current Academic Salary Scales | UCOP) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: Salary Scale

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: June 16, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Jul 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 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

At UC San Diego, we are seeking an Assistant Project Scientist to join our research team in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering, within the Jacobs School of Engineering. This role is intended for individuals who wish to make substantive contributions to research projects without the expectation of leading the team or conducting fully independent research.

Project Scientist will:

  1. Make creative contributions to the research team.
  2. Publish and conduct research under the supervision of a Professor or Professional Research series member.
  3. Potentially serve as Co-Principal Investigator, though not as Principal Investigator. It is important to note that this position does not mandate independent research or the development of an independent research reputation. While university and public service are valued, they are not compulsory, and there are no formal teaching responsibilities. The duration of each appointment is subject to the research project's timeline and the availability of funds.

The department will not sponsor visas for this position.

The Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego is committed to building an excellent, diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student body (https://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/about/diversity.

This Project Scientist position will primarily support the LG Energy Solution – Future Research Lab (LG-FRL) Program, Phase II — a multi-institutional, industry-sponsored research initiative focused on the development of next-generation all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), spanning UC San Diego, the University of Chicago, UC Santa Barbara, and Argonne National Laboratory. The successful candidate will focus on material design and processing design for the characterization of solid-state battery systems. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in nanoengineering, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline. Successful candidates should have demonstrated experience at the doctoral level or beyond in research and development of energy storage and conversion materials and devices, especially in:

  1. Solid-state battery fabrication;
  2. Comprehensive knowledge of energy conversion and storage devices;
  3. Cathode and semiconductor material preparation, including but not limited to casting, sintering, heat treatment, and spin-coating;
  4. Materials characterization, including but not limited to FIB, (S)TEM, XPS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. in nanoengineering, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of application.

Demonstrated research or applied R&D experience at the doctoral level or beyond (academic, national lab, or industry) in energy storage and conversion materials and devices, especially in:

  1. Solid-state battery fabrication;
  2. Comprehensive knowledge of energy conversion and storage devices;
  3. Cathode and semiconductor material preparation, including but not limited to casting, sintering, heat treatment, and spin-coating;
  4. Materials characterization, including but not limited to FIB, (S)TEM, XPS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.

Preferred qualifications

  • Prior research or industry experience at the doctoral level or beyond in solid-state batteries, silicon anode systems, or halide-based solid electrolytes.
  • Experience contributing to multi-institutional, industry- or government-sponsored research programs, including milestone tracking, deliverables coordination, and cross-site reporting.
  • Proficiency in advanced characterization techniques such as cryo-SEM/FIB, synchrotron X-ray, or solid-state NMR.
  • Proficiency in automated data acquisition and analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW), and excellent written and oral communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Commitment to mentoring and to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment.

Apply Now