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Postdoctoral Scholar in Radiology-Brain Tumor Imaging Lab

Job #JPF11059
  • Radiological Sciences / David Geffen School Of Medicine / UCLA

Position overview

Salary range: $72,000-$82,000 depending on prior postdoctoral experience

Application Window

Open date: May 29, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Aug 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Sep 30, 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

The Department of Radiological Sciences at UCLA is seeking a highly motivated researcher to join the Brain Tumor Imaging Lab as a Postdoctoral Scholar. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Jingwen Yao and a cross-disciplinary team on NIH-funded research in neuroimaging biomarker development, with a primary focus on Huntington’s disease (HD). The researcher will also contribute to other ongoing projects in brain tumor imaging, movement disorders, and epilepsy.
The primary project is supported by an NIH R01 grant aimed at characterizing circuit-level spatiotemporal alterations in HD using advanced multimodal MRI. The research spans three interconnected aims: (1) identifying regional and tract-based multimodal imaging features across HD disease stages; (2) defining imaging predictors of domain-specific cognitive, motor, and behavioral symptoms; and (3) developing a spatiotemporal model to map individualized disease progression. This is a prospective, multi-center study conducted at UCLA and UCSF, leveraging advanced imaging techniques including QSM, multi-shell diffusion MRI, resting-state fMRI, and MR spectroscopic imaging. In addition to the HD project, the candidate will contribute to other neuroimaging research including novel MRI sequence and imaging marker development to explore the physiological and pathological processes involved in primary and metastatic brain tumors, as well as other neurological diseases.
The UCLA Radiology Department offers access to 40+ clinical MRI scanners across various imaging centers/clinics in the greater Los Angeles region. At the main campus of UCLA, there are 7 clinical/research Siemens scanners at 3T and 1.5T, one clinical GE 3T scanner, as well as one 3T Siemens scanner exclusively for research purposes. In addition, a Siemens 3T MR-PET scanner for clinical/research and a small animal Bruker 3T scanner with high gradient performance are also available. With strong interdisciplinary links between Radiology and various campus and clinical departments, the lab provides a unique opportunity to work with a diverse group of engineers, basic scientists, radiologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead independent research projects and support collaborative studies
• Design, implement, and test novel MRI sequences, reconstruction methods, or post-processing techniques for research and clinical translation
• Develop and validate disease progression models and other data-driven analyses in large-scale multimodal datasets (imaging, phenotypical data, genetics data)
• Author scientific publications and contribute to grant proposals
• Supervise trainees and maintain research infrastructure
• Comply with UCLA guidelines for lab safety and human subject research
• Communicate effectively with team members and present findings verbally and in writing

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Ph.D. in biomedical physics, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, computer science, or related discipline

Additional qualifications

• Strong background in neuroimaging methods, including experience with one or more of: diffusion MRI, functional MRI, susceptibility MRI, or MR spectroscopy; OR strong background in MR physics and sequence development
• Experience with the operation of preclinical and/or clinical MRI systems
• Prior experiences and publications on neuroimaging research
• Proficiency in software programming (MATLAB, C++, Python, R, etc.)
• Experience with MR physics and/or pulse sequence programming (Siemens or Bruker platforms) is preferred but not required
• Experience with machine learning, statistical modeling, or disease modeling is desirable
• Experience with patient interaction and communication is desirable

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research - Previous research experience and future research interest

  • 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 institution

    Prompt 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

  • publications - A reprint of two representative publications

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

References will only be contacted for the final candidates.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11059

Help contact: amyywang@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.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA