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Postdoctoral Scholar Position in Digestive Diseases 2022-2023

Employer
University of California, Los Angeles
Location
Los Angeles

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Position Type
Postdoc
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details



Postdoctoral Scholar Position in Digestive Diseases 2022-2023
University of California Los Angeles



Requisition Number: JPF07683


The Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience in the Division of Digestive Diseases at the University of California Los Angeles is seeking a full time Post-Doctoral Research Fellow for a U54-funded project studying sex-related differences in the brain-gut-microbiome interactions related to visceral pain. This project is focused on the sex-specific effect of gut microbial metabolites, and estrogen levels on ascending arousal pathways originating in distinct brainstem nuclei to change the activity and connectivity of brain networks involved in symptom generation in irritable bowel syndrome.

As a part of an multidisciplinary research team the fellow will apply advanced computational, neuroimaging, biostatistical, and bioinformatics approaches to assess the interaction between various levels of biological data (e.g., microbiota, metabolites, sex hormones, multimodal brain and brainstem imaging data), clinical variables (symptom severity, widespread pain) and sex.

There will be opportunities to develop translational and clinical neuroscience research skills (e.g., target discovery, individualized treatment development and biomarker/predictor development), in addition to state-of-the-art analytical skills to address basic and pathophysiological systems biology questions.

The G Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience (CNSR) is an interdisciplinary, translational Center funded by the National Institutes of Health, and by philanthropic support. The overall research goals of the CNSR are to better understand the interactions between mind brain and body in health and disease, and to develop novel management strategies for optimal health and for complex chronic disorders.

Center investigators are conducting clinical, translational and basic research with human populations, using interventions (e.g., diet, cognitive behavioral therapy) alongside deep phenotyping including neuroimaging, mutli-omics profiling (gut microbiome, metabolomics, inflammatory biomarkers, psychosocial and behavioral assessments. You will work directly with Arpana “Annie” Gupta, PhD and Jennifer Labus, PhD and an array of faculty collaborators across UCLA, and beyond.

There will be many opportunities to lead high impact publications starting on day one, working with existing rich and unique datasets in addition to creating new ones. Extensive mentorship will be provided to facilitate the transition to an independent research career.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Post-Doctoral Fellow's responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
  • Develop longitudinal multimodal MRI data analysis streams (functional connectivity, task-based fMRI, diffusion tractography and volumetrics).
  • Analyze complex multi-omics datasets including imaging, gut microbiome, metabolomics, behavioral and clinical data.
  • Prepare and submit manuscripts
  • Mentor graduate and undergraduate students
  • Be inquisitive, curious and publish!

    Required Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Neuropsychology, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.
  • Strong proficiency and independence with various neuroimaging analysis platforms, multivariate modeling strategies and network connectivity analyses.
  • Established quantitative and statistical skills, including strong programming skills and comfort with diverse computing environments. Experience with R, Linux, Matlab or Python preferred.
  • Background in systems/cognitive neuroscience, neuroanatomy and psychological/clinical constructs.
  • A demonstrated capacity to drive first author publications.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills, motivated and driven to publish.

    Preferred Qualifications:
  • Connectomics network analysis and machine learning modeling confer a very significant advantage.
  • Management/coding of neuroimaging databases (XNAT or others).

    Additional Information:
    This is a 2 to 3-year term position with great opportunities for training in human systems biology, translational/clinical applications and diverse integrated methodologies. Expected start date: Summer/Fall 2022

    The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what's right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at https://medschool.ucla.edu/cultural-north-star.


    To apply, please visit: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF07683


    The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy, https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction
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  • Organization

    Working at University of California, Los Angeles

    UCLA is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1919 and is the second oldest of the ten campuses affiliated with the University of California system. UCLA offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines and enrolls about 26,000 undergraduate and about 12,000 graduate students from the United States and around the world every year.

    UCLA features the College of Letters and Science, seven general campus professional schools, and four professional schools for the health sciences. The UCLA College of Letters and Science has 34 academic departments and 900 faculty, and houses the majority of UCLA's 129 undergraduate majors as well as the students in the Graduate Division of Letters and Sciences. The UCLA College Honors Program is also housed in the College. The College of Letters and Science's programs are divided into five academic divisions: humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and the International Institute. UCLA also offers certificate programs, undergraduate degree-credit and continuing education credits for non-full-time students through its UCLA Extension education program.

    The 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked UCLA as the 24th best university in the nation and 32nd best in the world. In the 2007 edition of U.S. News and World Report, UCLA Medical Center was ranked best in the West, as well as one of the top 3 hospitals in the United States alongside Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 15 of the 16 medical specialty areas examined, UCLA Medical Center ranked in the top 20.

    The campus' location in Los Angeles makes excursions to local museums, theaters, or other entertainment venues relatively quick and easy.

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