Cognitive Science Research Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

Position overview
Position titles:

• Assistant Professional Researcher
• Assistant Project Scientist
• Assistant Specialist
• Associate Professional Researcher
• Associate Project Scientist
• Associate Specialist
• Postdoctoral Scholar -Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct, or Employee Non-Exempt
• Professional Researcher
• Project Scientist
• Specialist

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales [( https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/index.html )] set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 23 for the Postdoctoral Scholar (Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct) salary range, the Base Salary range for these positions is $69,073 - $82,836. See Table 23N for the Postdoctoral Scholar (Employee non-exempt) salary range, the Base Salary range for this position is $33.09 - $39.68 hourly. See Table 24B for the Specialist salary range, the Base Salary range for this series is $63,500 - $194,800. See Table 37B for the Project Scientist salary range, the Base Salary range for this position is $76,700 - $201,900. See Table 13B for the Professional Researcher salary range, the Base Salary range for this position is $93,400 - $248,400.
Application Window
Open date: August 4, 2025
Most recent review date: Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Friday, Aug 28, 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
Division of Clinical Sciences
Position: Postdoctoral Scholars, Specialist, Project Scientist, and Professional Researcher Series - Open Rank
The Division of Clinical Sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside is conducting an open search for Specialists, Project Scientists, and Professional Researchers at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Rank in various disciplines.
Postdoctoral Scholars have recently completed a doctoral degree. They conduct research under the general oversight of a faculty member in preparation for a career position in academia, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector. These positions provide essential training and may include opportunities to enhance teaching and other professional skills.
Specialists and Project Scientists make significant and creative contributions to a research project. Responsibilities for the Specialist and Project Scientist may include performing studies and experiments, analyzing and preparing presentations and reports summarizing data, and scholarly contributions.
Professional Researchers develop and oversee their own independent, creative, and high-quality research equivalent to that required for the Professor series. These positions are academic appointments in the non-senate series and do not have teaching responsibilities.
Founded in 2012, the School of Medicine at UCR is the sixth University of California Medical School and serves the rapidly growing Inland Southern California region by training a much-needed physician workforce and catalyzing innovations in research, education, and healthcare delivery. The UCR School of Medicine's mission is to improve the health of the community in the Inland Empire, one of the most ethnically diverse and medically underserved areas of the country. UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification. Advancement through the ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial peer input. Postdoctoral Scholars receive annual salary increases on the basis of merit in accordance with established campus procedures.
Postdoctoral Scholar candidates must possess a doctorate degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) or the foreign equivalent.
Assistant Specialist Rank candidates must possess a minimal M.S. or 5 years of experience in the field. Associate Specialist Rank candidates must possess a minimal M.S. or 10 years of experience in the field. Full Specialist Rank, Project Scientist all ranks, and Professional Researcher all ranks candidates must possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent degree) and have experience in the field. Initial appointments are for one year and renewal is based on availability of support. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Successful candidates must also have clear potential or demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse student body.
Candidates in the Specialist and Project Scientist series enable research as part of a team and may provide some independent input into the planning and execution of research. Preference will be given to Specialist and Project Scientist candidates who hold a strong record of specialized training and experience in grant writing.
The posted UC salary scales [( https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/index.html )] set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 23 for the Postdoctoral Scholar (Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct) salary range, the Base Salary range for these positions is $69,073 - $82,836. See Table 23N for the Postdoctoral Scholar (Employee non-exempt) salary range, the Base Salary range for this position is $33.09 - $39.68 hourly. See Table 24B for the Specialist salary range, the Base Salary range for this series is $63,500 - $194,800. See Table 37B for the Project Scientist salary range, the Base Salary range for this position is $76,700 - $201,900. See Table 13B for the Professional Researcher salary range, the Base Salary range for this position is $93,400 - $248,400.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Postdoctoral Scholars - All Types

• Must possess a doctorate degree (e.g. Ph.D. or M.D.) or the foreign equivalent.

Assistant Specialist Rank

• Must possess at minimum a M.S. degree or 5 years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.
• Appointees at this level should enable research as part of a team and may provide some independent input into the planning and execution of research.

Associate Specialist Rank

• Must possess at minimum a M.S. degree or have 5 to 10 years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.
• Appointees at this level normally provide considerable independent input into the planning and execution of research, have a record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published research in the field, and a demonstrated record University and/or public service.

Full Specialist Rank

• Must possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent degree) or have 10 or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.
• Appointees at this level normally provide considerable independent input into the planning and execution of the research, have a record of academic accomplishments, including contributions to published research in the field, and a demonstrated record of University and/or public service.

Project Scientist Series

• Must possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent degree).
• Possess a broad range of knowledge and technical competency, extensive works experience (e.g. postdoctoral training), and a strong publication record in the field.
• Appointed rank will be based on the following criteria:
  • Demonstrated significant, original, and creative contributions to a research or creative program or project.
  • Professional competence and activity.

Assistant Professional Researcher

• Must possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent degree) and experience in the relevant field.
• Must possess research qualifications and accomplishments equivalent to those for the Professor series, including demonstrated continuous and effective engagement in independent and creative activity of high quality and significance.
• Professional competence and activity equivalent to those for the Professor series.

Associate and Full Professional Researcher

• Must possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent degree) and experience in the relevant field.
• Must Possess research qualifications and accomplishments equivalent to those for the Professor series, including demonstrated continuous and effective engagement in independent and creative activity of high quality and significance.
• Professional competence and activity equivalent to those for the Professor series.
• University and/or public service.

Preferred qualifications

• Hold a strong record of specialized training and experience in grant writing.
• UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

Application Requirements by Level
Assistant Professional Researcher
Position title: Assistant Professional Researcher
Submit a most recently updated curriculum vitae and contact information for three to five references. To be considered, your application needs to be marked as completed.
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02126
Assistant Project Scientist
Position title: Assistant Project Scientist
Submit a most recently updated curriculum vitae and contact information for three to four references. To be considered, your application needs to be marked as completed.
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02126
Assistant Specialist
Position title: Assistant Specialist
Submit a most recently updated curriculum vitae and contact information for three to four references. To be considered, your application needs to be marked as completed.
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02126
Associate Professional Researcher
Position title: Associate Professional Researcher
Submit a most recently updated curriculum vitae and six to seven letters of recommendation. To be considered, your application needs to be marked as completed.
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 6-7 letters of reference required

Upload 6-7 reference letters, or have the system send the request to the letter writers.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02126
Associate Project Scientist
Position title: Associate Project Scientist
Submit a most recently updated curriculum vitae and contact information for three to four references. To be considered, your application needs to be marked as completed.
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02126
Associate Specialist
Position title: Associate Specialist
Submit a most recently updated curriculum vitae and contact information for three to four references. To be considered, your application needs to be marked as completed.
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02126
Postdoctoral Scholar - Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct, or Employee Non-Exempt
Position tit