Department of Communication - Associate Project Scientist

Overview

Position title: Associate Project Scientist

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  Table 37A. The annual salary range for this position is $94,600 - $117,000

Open date: January 30, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

The Associate Project Scientist is expected to make significant and creative contributions to research projects, applying advanced disciplinary knowledge, technical competency, and a high degree of independence. Serving as a specialized research collaborator and independent investigator, the Associate Project Scientist will lead primary research and manuscript preparation. The scientist will be a key participant in the OASIS (Online and AI Systems  Integrity & Safety) Lab and work with various Communication faculty members, including Professors Hosseinmardi, Lamberson, and Kernell.

Their specialized research focus will involve network science, statistical inference, and causal inference on networks, as well as the analysis and modeling of complex systems and social networks using advanced methodological frameworks.

The position requires the application of high-level technical skills derived from advanced doctoral training and research experience. The Associate Project Scientist will utilize expertise in probabilistic graphical models, causal inference techniques, statistical physics, information theory, machine learning, signal processing, and optimization to address complex communication and social science research problems. They will specifically apply advanced methods for data analysis and modeling, such as community detection and link prediction.

Beyond direct research, the incumbent will assist in the mentorship and training of graduate and undergraduate student researchers involved in these various departmental projects.

Professional activity and the dissemination of research are core requirements for this series. The Associate Project Scientist will be responsible for preparing and submitting research findings to prestigious, peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at national and international conferences. They will maintain active engagement in the scientific community by serving as a peer reviewer for journals such as PNAS, Science Advances, and Physical Review Letters.

Additionally, the Associate Project Scientist will support the department s research infrastructure by assisting the Principal Investigator and other faculty in the preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure extramural funding.

The posted UC salary scales (https://) set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  Table 37A. The annual salary range for this position is $94,600 - $117,000

Department: .edu

Basic qualifications

• Applicants with a Ph.D.

Additional qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Communication, or a closely related quantitative field at the time of application.

Preferred qualifications

• A strong record of professional activity, such as serving as a peer reviewer for prestigious scientific journals.
• Experience leading research projects related to AI systems.
• Specialized experience in network science, statistical inference on networks, and the analysis of complex systems using advanced methodological frameworks.

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• 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…