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Assistant or Associate Project Scientist - Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley

Job #JPF05632
  • Elec Engr & Computer Sc / College of Engineering / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist
Associate Project Scientist
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: T38B. The current full-time base salary range for this position is $100,400 - $139,900.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Spring 2027
Position duration: Two years, with the possibility of reappointment based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: November 9, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Dec 10, 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

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, in the College of Engineering, at the University of California, Berkeley welcomes applications for an Assistant or Associate Project Scientist in Professor Yun Song's group. The Song Lab focuses on the intersection of machine learning, statistics, and biology. Their research leverages advanced mathematical and computational models to analyze large-scale genomic data and understand complex biological processes.

The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research to advance PEINT (Protein Evolution IN Time), a generative AI framework for modeling protein sequence evolution.

Core Responsibilities:
• Method Development: Developing new machine learning methods to model evolutionary dynamics, focusing on extending PEINT to more complex biological settings.
• Computational Research: Designing and implementing computational algorithms, developing and evaluating large-scale models, and conducting rigorous benchmarking.
• Experimental Collaboration: Collaborating with experimental researchers to validate model predictions and generated protein sequences.
• Mentorship: Mentoring and assisting in the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students, as well as other junior researchers.
• Project Coordination: Coordinating collaborative research activities and contributing to the preparation of grant proposals, technical reports, and progress reports for funding agencies.
• Dissemination: Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presenting research findings at scientific conferences.

Labor Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/resources/employment-policies-contracts/bargaining-units/academic-researchers/contract/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. or equivalent international degree.

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated research experience in developing advanced machine learning methods for biological sequence modeling, particularly protein sequence evolution
• Expertise in deep learning architectures and modern generative modeling techniques
• Experience integrating evolutionary principles into machine learning models, including modeling evolutionary dynamics along phylogenetic trees.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and large-scale computational model development
• Experience evaluating models using biological sequence and functional data
• A strong record of original research as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. (including a full publication list).

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05632

Help contact: cwelden@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley 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, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

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.

Job location

Berkeley, CA