Archive for category: Open Research Positions

UCLA PI Name: Dr. David Meriwether, PhD
E-Mail: vwli@mednet.ucla.edu
Project Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Lab website: https://www.uclahealth.org/departments/medicine/gastro/research/labs-and-groups/meriwether-lab
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 10-15 hours

Job Description:

We are focused on understanding how oxidized lipids (oxLDL) modulate macrophage efferocytosis—the clearance of apoptotic cells—and how this process drives the transition from pro-inflammatory (M1) to pro-resolving (M2) macrophage phenotypes in the inflamed gut. We seek to uncover how these immune shifts orchestrate intestinal epithelial repair and barrier restoration.

We are recruiting 1–2 highly motivated undergraduate volunteers. In this role, you will take ownership of modeling gut inflammation and epithelial injury in vitro. This position offers rigorous training in primary cell culture and functional cellular assays, with the long-term goal of adapting these established models to cutting-edge 3D-derived systems.

Responsibilities:
Primary Immune Cell Culture: Isolate and derive human primary monocytes and macrophages from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) for downstream phenotypic analysis.

Epithelial Injury Assays: Perform and quantify Caco-2 scratch wound models to evaluate epithelial cell migration and restitution.

Barrier Function Modeling: Manage Transwell monolayer injury models, utilizing Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) measurements to continuously monitor and assess barrier integrity following inflammatory insults.

Protocol Advancement: Collaborate directly with lab personnel to progressively adapt these conventional 2D culture workflows to human intestinal epithelial organoid-derived monolayers.

Requirements:
Currently enrolled UCLA undergraduate majoring in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Psychobiology, or a closely related field.

Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach to troubleshooting.

Ability to commit a reliable 10–15 hours per week to laboratory research.

Prior experience with cell culture or sterile technique is highly desirable, but comprehensive, hands-on training will be provided for dedicated candidates.

Major:  Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field.

What You Will Gain:
Proficiency in aseptic technique, mammalian cell culture, and quantitative in vitro injury models.

Deepened understanding of macrophage polarization, lipid signaling, and mucosal healing mechanisms.

Direct mentorship and integration into a collaborative lab environment alongside staff, graduate researchers, and fellow undergraduates.

The opportunity to contribute to translational research with direct implications for treating inflammatory bowel disease and related gastrointestinal pathologies.

Application Instructions:

Please email your CV and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in our research to Dr. David Meriwether, PhD at vwli@mednet.ucla.edu.

PI Name: Andrea Bertozzi
E-Mail: bertozzi@ucla.edu
Division/Department: Math/Mech E
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 40 hours

Job Description:

Looking for undergraduate researcher who has no lab experience outside of the classroom, and is eligible for nomination for the SRS program at UCLA.
Research will involve conducting table top experiments on particle laden flow including camera imaging, particle image velocimetry (lasers), and data processing from the experiment. Some background in fluid dynamics is a plus. You will be working alongside three other REU students who are part of the math department computational and applied mathematics REU, with mostly overlapping time with the SRS program. You need to be eligible for all dates in the SRS program from June 22 to Aug 28, 2026. The lab is in the Math Department right next to Boelter Hall.

Application Instructions:

Send your transcript or DPR to bertozzi@ucla.edu along with names of two faculty with whom you have finished taking a class who can provide a letter or feedback about your performance in the class.

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 the dry lab side of our project.

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.

Application Instructions:
Please fill out the following Google form, and attach your resume/CV. For inquiries, email jonathankim1626@ucla.edu.

Recruitment Form:
https://forms.gle/8PiVqzdeLLoYqJic7

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: 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.