"Assistant Project Scientist - Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences"

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t38-b.pdf. The current base salary range for this position is 97,000 - $121,800.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Fall 2025

Position duration: Two years with the possibility of an extension depending on performance and continuation of appropriate funding.

Application Window

Open date: October 15, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Jan 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Thursday, Jan 29, 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 University of California, Berkeley is seeking an Assistant Project Scientist to support activities related to programs aimed at advancing foundational research and application development for autonomous systems. These activities are advancing solutions of autonomous systems, intelligent machines, and human-in-the-loop control for extreme robotics applications, including high performance algorithms for 3D perception, model predictive control, reinforcement learning, generative AI, and simulation and virtual reality.

They are also developing fast and robust autonomy solutions using the least complex models possible, including rapidly transferring these solutions to new platforms and between platforms and domains, including a design suite of rapid autonomy transfer tools, algorithms, and software for building same-day autonomy solutions with minimal fidelity/complexity models that are robust to performance specifications and are adaptable to various platforms and domains.

The Assistant Project Scientist will assist in researching the software stack modules for autonomous vehicle racing, including layers for perception, prediction and control. The work involves engineering support as part of research projects and programs, including the aiding in the design, construction, and testing of experimental systems. The successful candidate will help to support the establishment of performance specifications, and documentation.

Of particular interest is defining and creating a highly performant software stack for autonomous vehicle racing capable of near-human performance on both oval and road course tracks under varying conditions and competitive scenarios. This software stack will be engineered to provide an environment for novel/distinct methods to be tested at high speed and in real conditions while constraining research methods to a safe operation envelope. The development, testing, and deployment work will support broader research goals of advancing capabilities that minimize gaps in simulation-to-real performance for various environments.

Project Management (30%): Assisting to ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Help in reviewing project progress, identify and aiding in the implementation of mitigation strategies. Participating in team collaboration to ensure successful execution of projects.

Simulation and Real Hardware-in-the-Loop Support (25%): With guidance and advice from supervisor, perform simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) activities. Collaborate with relevant teams to ensure the successful integration of simulation technologies.

Test and Evaluation (25%): Under supervision, assist in coordinating local testing and evaluation activities, including collaborating with external performers and collaborators and ensure the quality and reliability of testing procedures.

Cross-Team Coordination (10%): Help to facilitate effective collaboration between various teams and promote interdisciplinary communication and knowledge sharing.

Collaborator Interfacing and Sponsor Networking (10%): Being part of local team working with external collaborators to foster strong working relationships and facilitate communication between UC Berkeley and external organizations, collaborate with sponsors to support project deliverables, support networking activities to build connections within the field of robotics and racing, and identify fundraising opportunities to securing financial and in-kind resources.

Labor Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/contract.html

Qualifications

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

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in engineering, computer science, or related/relevant field.
• Hands-on experience in software engineering for autonomous robotics and real-world applications of adversarial autonomous vehicles and/or academic robotics research.
• Experience with Development Operations (DevOps) in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) and software test engineering.
• Applied experience with Robot Operating System 1 (ROS1) and ROS2, C++, MATLAB, Arduino, and Python in an autonomous robotics-related research capacity.
• Expertise with industry-leading simulation platforms, autonomy and sim-to-real challenges, and an aptitude for identifying opportunities for enhancement.
• Project management experience, preferably in an academic research setting, and general software engineering experience, with a preference for a background in development and test engineering.
• Experience with collaborative research initiatives across multiple organizations, involving aspects such as recruiting, logistics, and internal collaboration projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading complex technical projects, showcasing an ability to navigate challenges and drive results.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service... [abbreviated, full in text but core is position]

Job location
Berkeley, CA