Assistant/Associate Project Scientist - Gene editing therapeutic R&D Innovative Genomics Institute

Position overview

Position title: Assistant / 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: Salary Scale. The current full-time base salary range for this position is $76,700 - $115,400 'Off-scale' salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Summer 2026

Position duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.

Application Window

Open date: April 24, 2026

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

Final date: Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The Innovative Genomics Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks applications for Assistant / Associate Project Scientists in the area of gene editing therapeutic R&D.

With support from industry, philanthropic, and federal funding, the Innovative Genomics Institute is developing platform approaches to design, develop, and translate to the clinic ex vivo and in vivo gene editing therapies for severe pediatric disorders of hematopoiesis and other Mendelian diseases of childhood.

The role is intended for scientists who can function not only as an experimentalist, but also as a scientific lead across several aspects of therapeutic platform development.

Assistant / Associate Project Scientists will be an integral member of a highly collaborative team working across genome engineering, immunology, hematology, molecular and cell biology, genomics, and translational development. These individuals are expected to help drive gene editing therapeutic programs from early discovery through clinical translation by shaping experimental strategy, helping align platform and program priorities, and managing and developing research associates and junior scientists while advancing cell-therapy and gene-editing programs toward development milestones.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conception, design, execution, and interpretation of experiments advancing gene editing platforms and engineered cell therapy products in primary human T and B cells and other primary immune cells, including CRISPR/Cas9 editing, retroviral, lentiviral, and mRNA transduction or other delivery methods, and product characterization.
• Develop, implement, and refine innovative in vitro and in vivo assay platforms for genetically engineered cell products, including potency assays, co-culture assays, mechanism-of-action studies, resistance studies, and functional characterization in relevant tumor and immune-cell model systems.
• Design and interpret molecular, cellular, and genomic characterization studies using flow cytometry, sequencing-based analyses, cytokine multiplexing, microscopy or imaging, cell culture, and biochemical assays to define product quality, mechanism, and translational readiness.
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for preclinical development performed in-house and with external partners, including CRO and/or CDMO interactions, study design, data review, and integration of results into broader development plans.
• Contribute to advancement of programs from discovery through development-candidate nomination, clinical translation, preclinical development, and IND-enabling activities.
• Help shape technical strategy by identifying experimental gaps, evaluating emerging technologies, and contributing to platform-building efforts, external partnership discussions, regulatory submissions, technical reports, and supporting materials for partner diligence, as relevant.
• Mentor and develop research associates, trainees, and junior scientists; help build rigorous and scalable research workflows; and communicate results and recommendations clearly to stakeholders ranging from bench scientists to leadership and collaborators.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD or equivalent international degree.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
At least 3 years of post-PhD research experience.

Preferred qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in biotechnology, translational research, or a related applied research environment developing genetically engineered cell therapies, gene editing platforms, or closely related products.
• Demonstrated expertise in genome editing and engineering of primary human T and B cells, primary T cells, and/or other primary immune cells, including CRISPR/Cas9 knockout and targeted knock-in approaches, with experience using retroviral, lentiviral, mRNA, AAV, and/or other viral or non-viral delivery methods.
• Experience developing and prosecuting innovative in vitro and in vivo assay platforms for engineered cell products, including functional potency assays, co-culture assays, mechanism-of-action studies, and product characterization assays.
• Experience integrating cell engineering with mechanistic immunology, tumor-immune biology, and/or functional immune-cell profiling in order to define product performance or resistance mechanisms.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary or cross-functional research efforts and managing research associates, scientists, or matrixed research teams.
• Experience advancing research or therapeutic-development programs through discovery, development-candidate nomination, clinical translation, translational/preclinical studies, and/or IND-enabling activities.
• Experience with one or more of the following is strongly preferred: genome integrity or off-target assessment; sequencing-based characterization of edited products; in vivo preclinical models; regulatory submissions (for example, INTERACT, preIND, IND, or CTA materials); external partnership, CRO, or CDMO management; or innovation scouting and IP development.
• Excellent scientific communication skills, including preparation of technical reports, presentations, manuscripts, briefing materials, and materials for internal or external stakeholders.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
* Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
* Cover Letter

Reference requirements
* 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05356

Help contact: urnov@berkeley.edu