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Postdoctoral Scholar - Biological Chemistry
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: March 9, 2026
Next review date: Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 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
A postdoctoral position is immediately available within Dr. Keriann Backus’s laboratory in in the Department of Biological Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). We are seeking a creative and collaborative individual interested in making cutting edge discoveries in the areas of chemical probe development, small molecule screening, molecular mechanisms driving condensate formation, and drug resistance mechanisms in cancer.
The postdoc will join a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative team of chemists and biologists seeking to define the functional and druggable proteome. They will have the opportunity to learn and apply state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomic techniques. They also will have the opportunity to work with established techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, high throughput screening, single cell sequencing, and immunophenotyping.
More information can be found in the lab website: backuslab.com
The successful candidate will benefit from a supportive lab environment and the highly collaborative UCLA community.
Qualifications
1) A recent doctorate degree in the field of organic chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, cell biology, systems biology, computational biology, or related disciplines
2) Ability to work in highly collaborative teams, a strong track record of innovative research contributions, and strong work ethic.
3) Some experience with organic synthesis, cell culture, molecular biology, data analysis (e.g. R or Python coding experience), and/or proteomics.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Statement of Research
Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
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 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 required (contact information only)
Candidates should include 3 references (contact information only).
Help contact: iwong@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.
- “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