Recruit

The Jonas Lab in the Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine & California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA is seeking a highly motivated project scientist interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research at the interface of nanoscience and regenerative medicine. We have a multidisciplinary research team interested in developing new nanotechnology-enabled methods to support the childhood cancer and regenerative medicine research communities in accelerating the discovery and implementation of gene and cellular therapeutic approaches and precision-medicine-based diagnostic strategies.

With support from the NIH’s High-Risk High-Reward Program, our group leverages advances in microfluidics, nanofabrication, and gene editing approaches to explore the ultimate limits of miniaturization. These capabilities empower our efforts to create tools that enable stem cell biologists to probe and to interact with stem cells more precisely and empower clinical scientists to apply this knowledge to design and implement new therapies more rapidly and broadly.

We have multiple postdoctoral positions available immediately to:

• Establish rapid, safe, cost-effective, and efficient intracellular delivery methods for genes and genome-editing machinery. The goal of this NIH-funded project is to establish new manufacturing platforms for gene and stem cell-based therapies directed at pediatric cancers, hematologic disorders, primary immunodeficiencies, and other genetic diseases.
• Design and apply nanocarrier systems to enable cystic fibrosis gene therapies.
• Develop microfluidic liquid biopsy technologies for monitoring treatment response to pediatric sarcomas and other childhood malignancies
• Apply rapid prototyping approaches to fabricate three-dimensionally printed tools for organoid development & toxicity screening of electronic cigarette/vaping products

Qualifications:
• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent in Bioengineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Molecular Biology or related life science fields of study
• Background in nanoparticle synthesis & characterization and mRNA therapeutics
• Solid understanding and experience in micro/nanofabrication techniques, microfluidic devices, three-dimensional printing, device design and characterization
• Experience in cell culture, cell biology & molecular biology, immunofluorescence/flow cytometry, next generation sequencing techniques, gene editing methods, and biochemical techniques desired
• Ability to multitask and quickly adapt to new research challenges
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a diverse, interdisciplinary research environment and to interact with computational and experimental scientists
• Ability to function independently in the laboratory and lead project teams
• Desire to engage and mentor graduate, medical, and undergraduate students across different academic disciplines

Skills:
• Experience with micro/nanofabrication techniques, including photolithography and three-dimensional printing for rapid prototyping and application of microfluidic systems
• Experience in the design of computer models/simulations for prototyping of project-specific devices
• Experience in nanoparticle synthesis and characterization (e.g., lipid nanoparticles, polymeric, plasmonic nanomaterials)
• Experience with cell culture, transfection, immunofluorescence/flow cytometry, and biochemical and molecular biology techniques
• Comfortable working with human primary cell types including hematopoietic stem cells, immune cells, or pluripotent stem cells.
• Experience in the development and characterization of gene editing reagents, PCR, cloning, and/or Next-Generation sequencing desired
• Working knowledge of laboratory notebook management and data management
• Knowledge of aseptic and laboratory technique
• Meticulous organizational and data analysis skills

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Ability to work and lead more independently and multitask projects more extensively
• Leadership and coordination of project activities and collaborative efforts. The candidate will report directly to the PI
• Oversee development of technology platforms for cellular therapy manufacturing, nanoparticle vehicles, organoids, and/or liquid biopsy diagnostic tests and characterization of cell products resulting from this work
• Ability to multitask and contribute to and oversee multiple collaborative projects efficiently and effectively
• Supervision, mentorship, and teaching of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, new postdoctoral trainees, and staff research associates in the lab
• Required to communicate well with other scientists, regulatory personnel, biotech companies, sponsored research organizations, and other scientific personnel worldwide.
• Supervise preparation of manuscripts for publication of results of independent and collaborative laboratory research. The candidate will also provide support in publishing the results of various projects.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, educational sessions, general and specific safety training and other training sessions
• Assist and work with PI directly to identify new opportunities and research directions for the laboratory
• Assist PI in preparation of grant proposals and progress reports, as needed.
• Desire to work toward transitioning to independence as an early-stage scientific investigator
• Performs other duties and laboratory responsibilities as requested.

Interested candidates can apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF09392

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