"Assistant or Associate Project Scientist - MEPMB - Photosynthesis"

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: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t37-b.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $76,700- $97,700.

Percent time: 100% FTE

Anticipated start: March 2026

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

Application Window

Open date: February 12, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, Mar 14, 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 Plant and Microbial Biology Department at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for an Assistant or Associate Project Scientist in the Shih Lab, in the area of photosynthesis.

This project is a highly collaborative effort between the Shih lab and Niyogi lab at UC Berkeley focused on photosynthesis, carbon fixation, and cyanobacteria. This work will focus on utilizing molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, cloning, and bacterial genetics, to study the genetic basis of carbon fixation. The position will also combine physiological measurements such as chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange. The position will have the opportunity to help mentor both graduate and undergraduate students. Within UC Berkeley, the successful candidate will have access to interacting with other photosynthesis labs at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The position will investigate photosynthesis and carbon fixation in Cyanobacteria using several approaches, including molecular biology, synthetic biology, and microbial genetics. They will be expected to contribute to experimental design, data interpretation, and the writing of their research for publication. They will have the opportunity to present their research in both informal settings (e.g., lab meetings) and larger forums (e.g., scientific meetings).

Department: https://plantandmicrobiology.berkeley.edu/

Lab: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/patrick-shih

Qualifications

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

Preferred qualifications
-PhD in microbiology or a related field
-Postdoctoral experience
-Experience with cyanobacterial genetics
-Experience with photosynthetic measurements via chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange
-In depth experience in cyanobacterial carbon concentrating mechanisms and carbon fixation

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/JPF05288

Help contact: sthsharpe@berkeley.edu

Job location

Berkeley, CA