Creative Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: Assistant, Associate, or Full Research Scientist
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $93,400-$270,000. The posted UC academic salary scales ( https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/2025-26-academic-salary-scales.html ) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/2025-26-academic-salary-scales.html
Application Window
Open date: March 1, 2026
Most recent review date: Monday, Mar 16, 2026 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: Sunday, Feb 28, 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.
Position description
The Office of Research Affairs https://research.ucsd.edu/ , at the University of California San Diego, in support of the campus, multidisciplinary Organized Research Units (ORUs) https://research.ucsd.edu/ORU/index.html is conducting an open search for Research Scientists (non-tenured, Assistant, Associate or Full level) https://ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-310.pdf in various academic disciplines. At UC San Diego, Research Scientists are non-tenured, extramurally funded, academic researchers who develop and lead independent research and creative programs similar to Ladder Rank Professors. Research Scientists are expected to serve as Principal Investigators on extramural grants, generate high caliber publications and research products, engage in university and public service, continuously demonstrate independent and creative research activity of high quality and significance, and garner scholarly reputation.
Appointments and duration vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding.
This academic series is represented by the United Auto Workers of America (UAW) and information about the collective bargaining agreement is available on the UCOP website. https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/contract.html
Department: https://research.ucsd.edu/ORU/index.html
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Doctorate degree related to specific specialization needs of the research unit.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

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

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Please provide contact information only for 3 references.
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04449
Help contact: oru-academics@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf . This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
Click for more information on Assembly Bill-810
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• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: [ https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH ]
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: [ https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination ]
Job location
San Diego, CA