Job Postings
As one of Southern California’s top five employers, UCLA is the workplace of more than 55,000 people and contributes $17.2 billion to the economy. The UCLA Health system alone employs more than 52,000 people and contributes $18.7 billion.
Academic Positions
Current Ophthalmology Open Positions
Position: Vision Science Faculty (Assistant or Associate Professor)
Posted 01/15/2025
The Jules Stein Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology invite applications for outstanding scientists at the Assistant or Associate Professor level investigating topics broadly relevant to vision science. Salary and rank will be commensurate with credentials and experience. The candidate will join a dynamic community of vision scientists whose work spans understanding the basic science underlying visual processing, visual disorders and converting laboratory discoveries into treatments. The Jules Stein Eye Institute contains an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative group of independent investigators, with the shared goal of understanding eye biology and visual processing. We are seeking individuals tackling current problems in visual processing, vision loss and/or vision restoration using molecular, cellular, electrophysiological, and/or behavioral approaches. We are interested in candidates pursuing basic and/or translational research. Candidates will be expected to lead independent and federally-funded research programs. Furthermore, candidates should have demonstrated potential for outstanding academic contributions. The Search Committee also seeks candidates committed to contributions to inclusive excellence, and we welcome candidates whose experience in teaching, research, and/or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.
Questions to: Peter J. López ([email protected]) or Greg D. Field, PhD ([email protected])
Position: Postdoctoral Scholar (Field Lab)
Posted 05/01/2025
The Retinal Circuits Lab, run by Dr. Greg D. Field at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, is seeking applicants for two postdoctoral positions currently available in the lab. Candidates should have a PhD or equivalent degree in Neuroscience, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, or a related field and a prior track record of research excellence and publications. Ideal candidates will be interested in a mix of experimental and computational approaches for understanding visual processing in the retina in health and/or disease. The lab uses a combination of large-scale electrophysiology and modern circuit tracing and manipulation approaches to understand retinal function. The lab also maintains several close collaborations with computational labs using machine learning approaches for understanding neuronal function.
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Field directly at [email protected].
Position: Postdoctoral Scholar in Regenerative Therapy and Stem Cell Biology in Cornea Diseases (Deng Lab)
Posted 04/08/2025
We are seeking talented and self-motivated postdoctoral scholars to join our team in the Cornea Cell Biology Laboratory at the Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, to investigate corneal stem cells and corneal diseases with an emphasis on translational application and therapeutic development.
The Cornea Biology Laboratory, under the direction of Sophie Deng, MD, PhD, studies corneal stem cells aiming to develop novel therapies for the treatment of corneal diseases. One research program investigates the microenvironment/niche of human limbal stem cells to elucidate those factors that govern the fate of limbal stem cells and pathophysiology of limbal stem cell deficiency. The role of Wnt signal transduction pathway in human limbal stem/progenitor cells is under investigation and small molecules that modulate Wnt signaling are being investigated to increase the ex vivo expansion of limbal stem cells for transplantation. The second research program investigates the function of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) derived from mesenchymal stem cells in corneal stromal wound healing. The studies also involve characterization and further functional studies of these extracellular vesicles in cell-based assays and in animal models.
The Deng research team is currently conducting a Phase I clinical trial (NCT03957954) to investigate the safety and feasibility of cultivated limbal stem cells to treat limbal stem cell deficiency. In parallel, the Deng team is conducting the preclinical studies on developing extracellular vesicles to treat corneal scarring. Both research programs are funded by the National Eye Institute and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Qualified candidates should have a PhD and/or MD with a strong background in cell biology and molecular biology and demonstrated a record of achievement in research. We are seeking an independent, responsible and motivated individual with excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both verbal and written). The successful candidates will conduct research in one of the two research programs and assist with the ongoing phase I clinical trial.
Only potential candidates who meet the requirements will be contacted. View more information
Questions to: Aidan Smith ([email protected]) or Sheyla Gonzalez, PhD ([email protected])
Position: Postdoctoral Scholar in Bioinformatics (Au Lab)
Posted 03/19/2025
The Au Lab at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to lead biomarker discovery and drug development initiatives. This role involves driving translational research, contributing to high-impact publications and grant proposals, and mentoring junior researchers to advance precision therapies for retinal disease. The ideal candidate should hold a PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field and demonstrate expertise in translational studies.
Previous experience with the following is highly desirable:
- Data Storage – Managing large-scale -omics data storage across multiple platforms, maintaining inventory and record-keeping for sequencing data and intermediate files, and facilitating data uploads to online repositories upon publication.
- Data Processing – Handling Whole Exome Sequencing, RNA sequencing, and single-cell RNA sequencing data while utilizing version control (Git) and virtual environments (Conda, Docker containers) to streamline and enhance pipeline management.
- Data Analysis – Collaborating with experimentalists to determine appropriate analytical approaches to complement their experiments, optimizing pipeline-generated outputs, performing model fitting, conducting statistical tests, and visualizing data using R and/or Python.
- Experience with Large Datasets – Working with extensive genomic and clinical datasets, including UK Biobank (UKBB) and the All of Us Research Program, to support large-scale analyses.
Questions to: Aidan Smith ([email protected]) or Adrian C. Au, MD, PhD ([email protected])
Position: Undergraduate Volunteer Researcher
Posted 05/01/2025
Part-time volunteer undergraduate research positions are available in the Cornea Genetics Laboratory at the Stein Eye Institute on the University of California, Los Angeles campus. The candidate will have a strong interest in learning and performing translational and basic science research under the guidance of lab mentors. While no previous research experience is required, a solid academic background of basic cell biology, biochemistry, and lab fundamentals is desirable. Also, candidates who are able to commit to at least 2 years of part-time research will be given the strongest consideration.
Interested individuals who meet the above criteria may apply by sending their CV to:
Anthony J. Aldave, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Walton Li Chair in Cornea and Uveitis
Vice Chair of Academics
Co-Chief, Cornea and Uveitis Division
Email: [email protected]
Help contact: [email protected]
Campus Information
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees must (a) provide proof of receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine no later than 14 calendar days after their first date of employment and provide proof of Full Vaccination no later than eight weeks after their first date of employment; or (b) if applicable, submit a request for Exception or Deferral no later than 14 calendar days after their first date of employment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
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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.
- Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.