Assistant Project Scientist Positions in Pulmonary - Kulkarni Lab 2025-2026

Position overview Salary range: See Table 37B (). A reasonable estimate for this position is $76,700-$89,000. Application Window Open date: July 23, 2025 Most recent review date: Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled. Final date: Tuesday, Jun 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 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, in the Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has openings for full-time Assistant Project Scientists.This position is intended for collaborative research working on lung injury, using a combination of in vitro systems, mouse models and human biospecimens. The study will initially concentrate on how complement proteins modulate the cellular response to injury. The candidate's work will focus on: 1) investigating immune responses at mucosal surfaces such as the lung and the gut using techniques such spectral flow cytometry, proteomic assays, confocal microscopy, and in vivo imaging in conditional knockout mouse models; 2) performing unbiased screens (such as CRISPR and high-throughput compound screens) to identify targets for modulating complement activity; 3) in vitro studies such as site-directed mutagenesis and immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry to identify binding partners for proteins and how these affect cellular responses to stress; and, 4) developing new ex vivo models from human lung specimens for investigating the pathogenesis of lung injury and repair. with the goal of applying these techniques towards drug discovery. The candidate must also be able to analyze and interpret said data and use these to generate new ideas and hypotheses to move the project/field forward. Experience in analyzing unbiased datasets (for example, transcriptomic or proteomic data) and/or a background in structural biology is looked upon favorably.The Assistant Project Scientist will work in the Kulkarni Lab and serve as a lead for basic-translational lung injury project(s). The position involves in-person work in the Kulkarni Lab situated in the Clinical Health Sciences building at UCLA. The applicant will meet regularly with their PI, Dr. Kulkarni and other members of the lung injury working group. Responsibilities include: supporting the PI in the design and execution of funded projects by leading investigations in animal models of injury; developing new ex vivo models using mammalian lung tissue (including humans); incorporating new techniques into the workflow of the lab (e.g. multispectral flow cytometry, high throughput screening using cellular imaging, in vivo imaging in animals), tissue analysis by biochemical, proteomic, transcriptomic, metabolic and immunohistological approaches. The candidate will be responsible for identifying the best ways to execute the proposed questions being studied in the lab (along with the PI), identifying appropriate reagents to develop new techniques and assays and implementing and refining them to answer key questions, and perform logical series of experiments to develop understanding of the mechanism of action of intracellular and locally acting complement proteins, among other components of the host response. They will be responsible for co-mentoring other trainees in the lab, as well as assisting junior postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduate student researchers. Additional responsibilities include: Maintenance of laboratory logs and protocols to be compliant with UCLA protocols, preparing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals, and assisting the PI with the preparation of grant proposals.Required Qualifications: * Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or related field * Minimum of 5 years of experience in biomedical research with a focus on a combination of immunology, plus: molecular biology, protein chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, in vivo work in mouse models of injury, and/or working with primary cell culture systems (e.g., organoids, coculture systems).Required Skills: * Experience in immunology, and at least 2 years of specific experience working independently with experimental animals and primary cellular culture systems. * Experience in independently designing panels for multiparameter flow cytometry, acquiring and analyzing the data. * Experience in recombinant DNA technology, PCR, cell culture techniques, basic biochemistry, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence and animal models of disease. * Ability to handle several projects simultaneously. * Ability to train and advise laboratory personnel. * Ability to maintain and oversee the maintenance of high-quality scientific records. Specific Responsibilities: * Report directly to the Principal Investigator. * Carry out experiments and analyze the data generated with minimal supervision. * Oversee undergraduates, graduate students and new postdoctoral trainees in the lab. * Work on multiple projects efficiently and effectively. * Assist with preparation of grant proposals. * Deliver effective presentations and participate actively in weekly laboratory meetings. * Prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals. * Communicate effectively with other scientists worldwide. * Maintain or organize the maintenance of critical equipment * Organize laboratory safety protocols and inventory systemsThe shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what's right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at cultural-north-star. Qualifications Basic qualificationsA Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or related field is required.Minimum of 5 years of experience in biomedical research with a focus on a combination of immunology, plus: molecular biology, protein chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, in vivo work in mouse models of injury, and/or working with primary cell culture systems (e.g., organoids, coculture systems).Additional qualificationsExperience in immunology, and at least 2 years of specific experience working independently with experimental animals and primary cellular culture systems.Experience in independently designing panels for multiparameter flow cytometry, acquiring and analyzing the data. Experience in recombinant DNA technology, PCR, cell culture techniques, basic biochemistry, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence and animal models of disease. Application Requirements Document requirementsCurriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. 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 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. Reference requirementsnoneApply link: JPF10509 Help contact: 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. 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