"Assistant Project Scientist/Research Design Lead - Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Boettcher Group)"

Position overview

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale 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-$89,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: 08/19/2026

Position duration: One-year initial appointment with the possibility of reappointment based on funding availability

Application Window

Open date: February 5, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Feb 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Mar 9, 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 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applicants for an Assistant Project Scientist, with specific expertise in the areas of synthesis, modeling, and characterization of materials and devices for electrochemical energy storage and energy conversion, to work in the lab of Professor Shannon Boettcher.

The appointee will make significant and creative contributions to research in the Boettcher Group, and they will lead projects involving the study, design, synthesis, fabrication, and modeling of materials and devices for applications in electrochemical energy storage and energy conversion. This includes uncovering fundamental insights into ion and electron transfer at interfaces and applying these insights to design and make materials for efficient energy conversion and storage and manufacturing. Specific research can include, but will not be limited to: the synthesis and study of heterogeneous electrocatalysts for water oxidation, understanding semiconductor-electrocatalyst interfaces using computer simulation and electrical measurements, developing alkaline membrane electrolyzers, and studying bipolar membranes and electric field driven interfacial ionic reactions.

The overall research portfolio will be directed by Professor Boettcher. The appointee will contribute to publications and grant writing and display effective engagement in research activities of high quality and relevance. The successful candidate will be expected to lead design and execution of research work streams; may mentor postdocs, PhD students, undergraduates, and visiting scholars; coordinate cross-project timelines and external collaborations; and support publication and proposal development across projects. This position is funding contingent.

College of Chemistry: https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/home

Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering: https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/cbe

Boettcher Lab: https://electrochemistry.berkeley.edu/boettcher-lab

Labor Union: https://uaw5810.org/ar-contract-2022/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
PhD (or equivalent international degree) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field

Preferred qualifications

• Evidence of effective research leadership (leading sub-projects/workstreams) and mentorship of junior researchers
• Demonstrated record of significant and creative research contributions (e.g., publications, methods/instrumentation advances)
• Proven excellence in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing (papers and/or proposals)
• Multi-project coordination experience across federal (for example, DOE/NSF/DOD) and industry awards; familiarity with agency deliverables and open-data practices
• Hands-on expertise with one or more Boettcher Lab domains (e.g., electrochemical kinetics and interfaces; membranes and ionomers; electrocatalyst and device testing; diagnostics such as impedance, spectroscopy, X-ray, AFM)
• Experience establishing and enforcing SOPs, QA/QC, and reproducible data workflows
• Experience collaborating with national labs and campus core facilities; comfort leading cross-institutional meetings

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05217

Help contact: sarahmf@berkeley.edu

Job location

Berkeley, CA