Archive for category: Open Research Positions

UCLA PI Name: Alex Franklin
E-Mail: alexfranklin@g.ucla.edu
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 3-4 hours per week

Job Description:

In the modern era, Standup Comedy and various Comedian-led Podcasts have become intertwined with politics and the ongoing debate over the actions of the current Administration. In fact, in late 2024, a popular Comedian and Podcaster named Marc Maron said: “The anti-woke flank of the new fascism is being driven almost exclusively by comics…They are part of the public face of a fascist political movement that seeks to destroy the democratic idea.”

Usually, Comedians and Podcasters are political outsiders and have a history of being anti-establishment. So in this Research Project, we seek to explore questions such as: How did a group of Comedians and Podcasters who started out defending their right to free speech end up becoming defenders of the current regime? What role do Standup Comedy and Podcasts play in influencing public sentiment on political issues? And…is Marc Maron right?

The members of the Research Team will help by investigating, suggesting and compiling Comedy Specials, Podcasts, Interviews and other materials that center on individuals involved in this controversy.

Preapproved for SRP-99 and SRP-199.

Application Instructions:

Please email your resume’ or CV to alexfranklin@g.ucla.edu.

 

UCLA PI Name: Louis Bouchard
Division/Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Lab website: https://sites.google.com/view/bouchardlabucla/
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 10 hours per week

Job Description:

Our lab, led by Professor Louis Bouchard, focuses on developing computational methods at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and data science. We are looking to onboard students to join either the dry lab or wet lab sides of the project.

Dry Lab Description:
The dry-lab position is centered on numerical modeling, data analysis, and algorithm development. One of our current projects investigates signal denoising, the process of recovering clean signals from noisy measurements, which is a major topic in spectroscopy, medical imaging, and other data-intensive experimental sciences. The project explores a generalized denoising framework based on stochastic differential equations (SDEs), drawing inspiration from modern diffusion models and score-based generative modeling.

As a research assistant, you will work with modern Python-based tools for signal processing and machine learning, benchmark SDE-based denoising methods against established baselines, and contribute to the theoretical and computational validation of a framework with potential applications across multiple scientific domains. This position is particularly well-suited for students interested in applied mathematics, machine learning, computational chemistry or physics, and data-driven modeling. Prior experience with Python programming is required, and familiarity with scientific computing or statistics is a plus.

Wet Lab Description:
The wet-lab side consists of students coculturing cells and collecting data using H-NMR and microscopy. Experimental results will be used to guide future applications of H-NMR as a novel technique to quantify cell-cell interactions. Individuals with prior experience in flow cytometry, cell culturing, NMR, and microscopy are preferred, but we will be open to teaching interested newcomers the necessary skills.

Application Instructions:

Please fill out the following Google form, and attach your resume/CV. For dry-lab inquiries, email jonathankim1626@ucla.edu. For wet-lab inquiries, email dylandang@ucla.edu.

Dry-lab Recruitment Form:
https://forms.gle/8PiVqzdeLLoYqJic7

Wet-lab Recruitment Form:
https://forms.gle/kPxiJNNsUMJsKoWU7

UCLA PI Name: Keriann Backus
E-Mail: kbackus@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: Biological Chemistry
Lab website (if applicable): backuslab.com
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 15h/week

Job Description: Looking for an undergraduate researcher with a strong desire to work at the interface of chemistry and biology who is interested in using organic chemistry to develop chemical tools to probe fundamental biology. This position is a unique opportunity for an undergraduate student interested in contributing to research at the interface of technology for drug development.

Desired Majors
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Required Qualifications
• Completed general chemistry coursework (20A/B/L/30AL)
• Background or interest in chemical synthesis and chemical biology

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with organic chemistry
• Completed or currently enrolled in organic chemistry coursework (30 A/B/C/BL/CL), prior research experience in chemistry
• First- or second-year UCLA undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Expected commitment: part-time during the academic year with potential for expanded summer research. MUST have at least 2-3 blocks of 5 hour time in schedule to devote to research

Application Instructions: Interested students should send:
• A short statement of interest (max 1 page) describing relevant coursework, programming experience, and research interests
• A resume/CV (including GPA and coursework)
• Optional Supplemental Materials (Course presentations or Slide Deck Explaining Previous Experience)

UCLA PI Name: Genevieve Konopka, PhD
E-Mail: afreelin@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: Neurobiology
Lab website: https://www.konopkalab.org/

Interested in the human brain? The Konopka lab is looking for motivated undergraduate students to join our research team!

Our lab studies the genomic landscape of the human brain, combining computational analysis and wet lab experiments to uncover how genes shape memory and cognition. Projects range from data analysis of large genomic and electrophysiology datasets to hands on molecular biology experiments.

Gain hands on research experience, learn cutting-edge techniques, and join a collaborative and fun team. No experience required – just curiosity. If you’re excited about science, you belong here!

Application Instructions: Please contact Anne Freelin at afreelin@mednet.ucla.edu with your resume / CV

UCLA PI Name: Anthony Baniaga
Division/Department: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology/UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
Lab website (if applicable): https://www.botgard.ucla.edu/
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 5 hours

The UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden needs 2-3 students for Fall 2025 to aid in the assessment of the living collections at the Garden. Students are responsible for locating plants in the garden and recording information about them into a database. A basic understanding of plant taxonomy is important as is keeping to a disciplined schedule. Students should be able to work independently or on a small team outside in dense vegetation for 5 hours per week. Additionally, a small independent project on an aspect of the garden and the living collections is required. Open to 1 unit of SRP credit.

Interested students should send a resume or CV and a brief description of their interest and relevant skills to Josh Brindley (joshbrindley@ucla.edu). We are hoping to field high quality candidates and the positions start Fall 2025 but interviews start mid August.