An NIH-funded full-time position for an Project Scientist (junior to mid-level) is immediately available, jointly supervised by Dr. Luis de la Torre-Ubieta and Dr. Harley Kornblum in the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. We are looking for a motivated individual interested in working at the interface of experimental stem cell biology and genomics, to investigate the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders through neural stem cell modeling of human brain development and functional genomics.

The de la Torre-Ubieta and Kornblum labs are located within the interdisciplinary Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) at UCLA. The research in these laboratories focuses on experimental and developmental neurobiology, modeling of human cortical development using stem cells, and studying transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene regulation. We leverage computational, multi-omic approaches to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying genetic risk for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Our long-term goals are to translate genetic findings into practical therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disease.

A successful candidate will have the following qualifications:
• PhD in biological sciences
• Ability to work independently within a collaborative multi-disciplinary team-based environment
• Expertise in cutting-edge genome engineering, stem cell-based methodologies, and single-cell genomics
• Expertise in computational and bioinformatic analysis
• Expertise in developmental neuroscience and post-transcriptional gene regulation
• Strong oral and written communication skills to present and publish research findings
• Track record training and mentoring junior scientists

Experience with cell culture and neural stem cell models, functional genomics assays (e.g., scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq), and/or CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering are required. All backgrounds will be considered. The appointed researcher will be embedded within a highly interdisciplinary team of neural stem cell and developmental biologists, computational biologists, bioinformaticians, statistical geneticists, and clinicians. The successful candidate will help develop and implement high-throughput genome engineering and genomic assays in stem cell-based models. Training opportunities and mentorship in wet-lab stem cell modeling and dry-lab genomics techniques will be uniquely provided by the joint PIs.

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table(s) https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t37-b.pdf. The salary range for this position is $74,100 - $99,000.

Please email a cover letter, CV, and 3 references to Luis de la Torre Ubieta (LDeLaTorreUbieta@mednet.ucla.edu) and Harley Kornblum (HKornblum@mednet.ucla.edu).

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