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Postdoctoral Scholar - Romero Lab
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: August 6, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Sep 5, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, Oct 5, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR - ROMERO LAB
The Romero lab in UCLA’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar position. The Postdoctoral Scholar candidate will perform mentored research on the development of an engineered niche comprised of 3D hydrogels to improve current in vitro maintenance of the HSPCs for further application in gene editing methods. To achieve this, an integrated analysis of the fundamental biology of HSCs and progenitor cells to understand (and define) the multifactorial changes associated with a net decline in long-term repopulation capacity of HSPCs after ex vivo culture and genetic manipulation will be performed. The fundamental aspects of the HSPCs biology to be studied in this respect will be: (i) Kinetics of quiescency exit and cell cycle progression; (ii) Metabolic preferences, and iii) Epigenetic modifications of current ex vivo culture systems and the novel in vitro culture system by engineering 3D hydrogels.
Postdoctoral Scholars at the University of California are exclusively represented by the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) and its Local Union 4811. The Union’s website is https://www.uaw4811.org/. A copy of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University of California and the UAW is available at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/px/contract.html.
Specific responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:
- Culture, characterization and manipulation of HSPCs
- Development and optimization of new experimental protocols to investigate HSPC biology
- Develop experimental methods including RT-PCR, ddPCR, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell sequencing
- Perform studies to develop genome editing strategies for human HSPCs
- Interact and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance the project
- Assist with preparation of grant proposals.
- Prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
Minimum Qualifications: (must be met at time of application)
• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in human HSPC biology received within the past ten years
• Have no more than five years of cumulative postdoctoral research experience, including postdoctoral service at other institutions.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Extensive experience working on key areas of human HSC biology and hematopoiesis.
• Strong background in molecular and cellular biology methodologies.
• Familiarity with gene editing technology.
• Ability to perform and analyze flow cytometry
• Experience working with mouse models
Qualifications
• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in human HSPC biology received within the past ten years
• Have no more than five years of cumulative postdoctoral research experience, including postdoctoral service at other institutions.
• Extensive experience working on key areas of human HSC biology and hematopoiesis.
• Strong background in molecular and cellular biology methodologies.
• Familiarity with gene editing technology.
• Ability to perform and analyze flow cytometry
• Experience working with mouse models
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
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 responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.
The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:
Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
Expand our reach as a global university
Enhance our research and creative activities
Elevate how we teach
Become a more effective institutionPrompt for candidates for recruitment:
Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service
- 3-5 letters of reference required
Applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation. Deciding between academic/professional references (or a combination of both) is at the applicant's discretion.
Help contact: aouchi@mednet.ucla.edu
About UCLA
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment