Postdoctoral Scholar, Specialist, Project Scientist, and Professional Researcher Series – Open Rank
Position overview
Position titles:Assistant Specialist
Associate Specialist
Specialist
Assistant Project Scientist
Associate Project Scientist
Project Scientist
Assistant Professional Researcher
Associate Professional Researcher
Professional Researcher
Postdoctoral Scholar -Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct, or Employee Non-Exempt
Application Window
Open date: July 8, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Aug 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 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 Biomedical Sciences
Position: Postdoctoral Scholars, Specialist, Project Scientist, and Professional Researcher Series – Open Rank
The Division of Biomedical 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
Assistant Specialist
- Must possess a minimal M.S. or 5 years of experience in the field.
- Have clear potential or demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse student body.
Associate Specialist
- Must possess a minimal M.S . or 10 years of experience in the field
- Have clear potential or demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse student body.
Full Specialist, Project Scientist all ranks, and Professional Researcher all ranks
- Must possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent degree) and have experience in the field.
- Have clear potential or demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse student body.
Postdoctoral Scholar - All Types
- Must possess a doctorate degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) or the foreign equivalent.
- 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 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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Specialist
Position title: 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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Project Scientist
Position title: 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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 6-7 letters of reference required
Upload 6-7 reference letters, or have the system send the request to the letter writers.
Professional Researcher
Position title: 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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 6-7 letters of reference required
Upload 6-7 reference letters, or have the system send the request to the letter writers.
Postdoctoral Scholar - Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct, or Employee Non-Exempt
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar -Employee, Fellow, Paid Direct, or Employee Non-Exempt
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.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Provide contact information for 3-5 referees.
Help contact: miguel.guerrero@medsch.ucr.edu
About UC Riverside
The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.
We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC’s criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).
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 categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
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.
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.
“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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.
For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
For the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.