University of California, Los Angeles
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Postdoctoral Position in Digestive Diseases – Church Lab 2026–2027 University of California, Los Angeles in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
R01-funded project; salary estimate $69,073-$79,881.
Deadline
Dec 1, 2026
Country
United States
University
University of California, Los Angeles
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About this position
Postdoctoral research in the Church Lab at UCLA focuses on brain-gut microbiome mechanisms underlying stress-based disorders, including obesity and cognitive decline. The project is based in the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and the Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience within the Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The postdoctoral scholar will work directly with Dr. Arpana Church and faculty collaborators in a multidisciplinary environment that combines clinical, translational, and basic research with human populations. The projects bring together multimodal MRI, gut microbiome data, and dimensional neuropsychiatric, behavioral, diet, and clinical measures to investigate structural and functional circuit dynamics across disease contexts.
The role offers hands-on involvement with large, complex datasets spanning imaging, inflammation, metabolic markers, behavior, diet, and clinical variables. The scholar will contribute to analyses, data acquisition coordination, grant development, and manuscript preparation, with opportunities to lead high-impact publications and to work with both existing unique datasets and newly generated data.
The position is designed to support the transition to an independent research career through extensive mentorship and exposure to translational research skills such as target discovery, individualized treatment development, and biomarker/predictor development.
Funding details
R01-funded project; salary estimate $69,073-$79,881.
What's required
A Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Psychology, Microbiome/Molecular Biology, Engineering, Epidemiology, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field is required. Applicants should have strong proficiency and independence with large data analysis platforms (such as neuroimaging or microbiome platforms), multivariate modeling strategies, and network connectivity analyses, plus established quantitative and statistical skills, strong programming skills, and comfort with diverse computing environments. Experience with R and/or Python is required for the role’s analytical work. A demonstrated capacity to write first-author publications and strong writing skills are expected, and background in bioinformatics systems, connectomics network analysis, and machine learning modeling is preferred.
How to apply
Apply through UCLA Academic Recruit at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11038. Submit the requested application materials, including a current CV and the statement responding to UCLA’s mission prompt. Applications are accepted until the deadline, with review beginning on the listed review date.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.