Recruit

The Brain-Gut Interaction Laboratory, CURE/Digestive Disease Research Center in the Division of Digestive Diseases at the University of California Los Angeles is seeking a full time Post-Doctoral Research Fellow for a project funded through the NIH OT2 SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) initiative. The research project is focused on 3D imaging and computational quantitation of extrinsic and intrinsic innervation and nerve-mast/glial cell spatial relationship in the human colonic mucosa for neuromodulation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will apply cutting-edge technologies and softwares related to confocal microscopy, imaging, 3D reconstruction, tracing and segmentation by using Imaris and Neurolucida to quantitate extrinsic and intrinsic innervation of IBS phenotypes in relation with MCs-EGCs spatial configuration in 3D structure of the sigmoid colonic biopsies in healthy controls and IBS patients, assess sex differences and correlation with IBS symptom severity.

Position will offer excellent opportunity to advance career path and to obtain training in technologies and softwares related to CLARITY, confocal microscopy, imaging, 3D reconstruction, tracing and segmentation by using Imaris and Neurolucida. There will also be opportunities to develop translational and clinical neuroscience research skills.

The applicant will work directly with Pu-Qing Yuan, Ph.D. and Yvette Taché, Ph.D. and 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:

• CLARITY, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, imaging, 3D reconstruction.
• Tracing and quantitation of nerve innervation by using Imaris and Neurolucida.
• Data analysis
• Prepare manuscripts

Required Qualifications:

A Ph.D. and/or M.D. with 0-3 years of postdoctoral research experience. Candidates with some experience and interest in neuroanatomical and immunohistolochemical studies of the enteric nerve system and autonomic nervous system will be preferred. Candidate with some experiences in these approaches will receive top priority.

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