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Assistant Project Scientist
Position overview
Position title: Assistant Project ScientistApplication 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.
The Project Scientist will:
-Make creative contributions to the research team.
-Publish and conduct research under the supervision of a Professor or Professional Research series member.
-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:
-Solid-state battery fabrication;
-Comprehensive knowledge of energy conversion and storage devices;
-Cathode and semiconductor material preparation, including but not limited to casting, sintering, heat treatment, and spin-coating;
-Materials characterization, including but not limited to FIB, (S)TEM, XPS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.
Department: https://cne.ucsd.edu/
Qualifications
-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:
-solid-state battery fabrication;
-Comprehensive knowledge of energy conversion and storage devices;
-Cathode and semiconductor material preparation, including but not limited to casting, sintering, heat treatment, and spin-coating;
-Materials characterization, including but not limited to FIB, (S)TEM, XPS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.
-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.
Application Requirements
Cover Letter (Optional)
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Statement of Research
Cover Letter (Optional)
Misc / Additional (Optional)
Misc / Additional (Optional)
Misc / Additional (Optional)
- 3-5 letters of reference required
Help contact: m6orozco@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.
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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]