What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Scientist - Biological Chemistry - Christofk position at University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)?
Open date: August 19, 2026
Next review date: Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Applications are sought for a full-time Assistant Project Scientist position, with a focus on the field of immunometabolism and cancer. The successful candidate will work as part of an interdisciplinary research team in the laboratory of Dr. Heather Christofk in the UCLA Department of Biological Chemistry. The focus of the Christofk Lab is the role of metabolism in cancer, development, and tissue stem cells.
The Christofk Lab examines how changes in systemic metabolism due to diet and/or metabolic disease impact mammalian development and cancer initiation and progression. Experience conducting diet studies in mice and harvesting mouse tissues, including bone and plasma, for analysis is required. The ideal candidate will have experience working with mouse models of multiple myeloma and have a background in immunology with extensive technical expertise in FACS analysis. Projects may include but are not limited to metabolism studies related to multiple myeloma progression and impact of diet on the bone tumor microenvironment.
- Responsible for adhering to lab safety and animal research protocols
- Participate in the planning of grant goals and gathering pilot data for such proposals
- Responsible for writing grant proposals for submission to federal agencies and seeking funding to establish own independence
- Responsible for progress reporting to granting agencies
- Responsible for collaborating with other lab members, particularly in matters related to immunology and FACs techniques
- Responsible for writing research papers for publication
- Conduct research related to multiple myeloma and metabolism
PhD in Immunology or a related Biological Science
Ability to work in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment
Desire to conduct cancer metabolism research
Experience leading large mouse studies and sample collection from mice
First author publication
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research (Optional)
Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.
The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:
Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
Expand our reach as a global university
Enhance our research and creative activities
Elevate how we teach
Become a more effective institutionPrompt for candidates for recruitment:
Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
- 2 required (contact information only)
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.
Help contact: kdserrano@mednet.ucla.edu
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.
The University of California 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, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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.
- "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy:https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction
Salary : $79,400 - $209,000