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 Professor (Assistant, Associate, or Full)
Posted 03/03/2026
The Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine invite applications from outstanding vision scientist for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor position, with salary and rank commensurate with credentials and experience. We are seeking applicants that have a research focus on immunology, regenerative medicine, gene editing, or imaging that incorporate advanced techniques in their research program.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic and interdisciplinary community of vision scientists and clinicians whose work incorporates basic and translational approaches to understanding and treating ocular disorders. Research of current faculty incorporates multiple techniques (imaging, stem cell biology, mechanobiology, electrophysiology, and immunology) to study age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, and glaucoma.
Requirements for the position include a PhD and/or MD degree, or equivalent, publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, and presentations at national or international conferences. Early career investigators applying for the Assistant Professor position should demonstrate the potential for establishing an independent, federally funded research program. Candidates applying for the Associate or Full Professor position are expected to have a proven track record of scholarship, service, and federal grant funding. The successful candidate will maintain a nationally recognized basic and/or translational research program, provide service to the Institute, Department, and University, and mentor trainees in vision science.
A competitive start-up package, excellent laboratory space and core facilities will be provided at the Doheny Eye Institute in Pasadena.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter summarizing qualifications, full curriculum vitae, a detailed research plan (not exceeding 4 pages) outlining current research and future directions, and teaching philosophy to:
Deborah Ferrington, Ph.D.
Chair of the Search Committee, Doheny Eye Institute
https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10808
About Doheny Eye Institute: Founded over 75 years ago, Doheny Eye Institute is dedicated to conserving, preserving, and restoring human eyesight. Over the decades, Doheny gained prominence among the national and international scientific community for its valuable contributions toward understanding and treating ocular diseases. In December 2013, the Doheny Eye Institute entered into a long-term affiliation agreement with the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of UCLA. The combined Doheny Eye Institute and UCLA Department of Ophthalmology Stein Eye Institute have consistently ranked among the top 5 ophthalmology institutes in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.
- 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. UCLA has programs to assist in partner employment, childcare, schooling and other family concerns.
- The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 5/Scale 7. The salary range for this position is $134,700 - $411,500. This position includes membership in the health sciences compensation plan, which provides for eligibility for additional compensation.
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 10/13/2025
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.
Apply Here for the Postdoctoral Scholar in Regenerative Therapy and Stem Cell Biology in Cornea Diseases job.
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: 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.
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. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.
About the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California
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- COVID-19 Vaccination
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.