Postdoctoral researcher

Employer

UCLA

Location

Los Angeles, California

Salary

$69,000+ depending on experience

Closing date

Feb 11, 2026

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to join a multi-disciplinary team based in the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing and Brain Research Institute, led by Dr. Paul Macey, an engineer who is a faculty member in Nursing and who does neuroscience research.

The main postdoctoral project is an NIH-funded study looking at the impact of a breathing training in people with obstructive sleep apnea. Working with colleagues from Radiology, Sleep Medicine, Neurobiology, and Psychiatry, our group investigates mechanisms, symptoms and treatments for sleep apnea. The current project will study blood pressure (BP) and brain regions that regulate BP, and assess the impact of a breathing resistance training. We will measure neurotransmitters such as GABA and glutamate, brain structure, neural function, and physiology such as ECG and breathing. The brain measures involve techniques such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging, specifically functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We also work with fNIRS. We consider psychological symptoms, such as stress, depression and anxiety. We track participants using health apps and devices, leading to large quantities of data along with opportunities for discovery.

The ideal candidate for this position will be interested in working with research participants, including men and women throughout the lifespan. They will be motivated to understand what mechanisms could be contributing to disease, and to help develop novel interventions. They will enjoy learning, and work well with people from varied disciplines. They will be comfortable with technology. They will be motivated to write papers, present their work, and develop and pursue their own research ideas. Particular skills that will be useful are experience with MRI and MRS, either in terms of data collection or analysis; scientific writing; working in clinical settings; familiarity with computers and technology; and software experience including MATLAB, Linux, R or python. However, there will be opportunity to learn required skills. The capacity to learn and the drive to produce results that advance science and the health of patients are far more important than particular skills or experience. If this opportunity excites you, we would love to talk with you!

Further requirements: Interest in health research; some writing experience; comfortable working with men and women across the lifespan; interest in sleep/brain-related disorders and relationship with psychological and cardiovascular symptoms; comfortable with technology; capacity to learn; able to pursue own ideas; comfortable working within a multi-disciplinary team; able to live and work in Los Angeles.

We'll be at Neuroscience 2025 in San Diego and can meet there, if you read this in time!