The UCI Translational Neurobiology Laboratory is more than a lab, it is a diverse community of individuals from all around the world joined together by the common goal of understanding the mysteries of the brain.
As a lab, we understand that excellence requires diverse perspectives and are committed to making our science and our community open to everyone. We recognize that the scientific community has been slow to act against systemic racism and that structural barriers that exclude women and minoritized individuals from academia continue to exist and must be dismantled. We strive to create an environment where we embrace and celebrate individuality, learn from and support one another, and promote an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. We are committed to educating ourselves, actively listening, and inviting uncomfortable conversations on race and gender equity issues so that we may better understand and confront them together. To learn more about our involvement in social justice and antiracism initiatives at UCI and to get involved yourself, please see the UCI End Racism Initiative. You can also read Dr. Yassa’s statement on Black Lives Matter here.
Postdoctoral Fellowship
We have a position for a postdoctoral researcher or research scientist to work on studies involving multimodal imaging in humans and animals (structural MRI, fMRI, diffusion imaging, MR spectroscopy). Projects focus on the basic neurobiology of learning and memory, as well as clinical and translational applications including mood disorders, aging and neurodegenerative disease. Numerous opportunities for exploration and the development of creative data science approaches are available. A very strong statistical background is highly desired. Lab and institutional resources include a new research-dedicated 3T Siemens Prisma scanner, a 9.4 Tesla Bruker animal scanner, opportunities to record intracranial EEG from pre-surgical epilepsy patients at a high throughput facility (in collaboration with Dr. Jack Lin, Neurology), high density EEG and sleep studies (in collaboration with Dr. Ruth Benca, Psychiatry), an active Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and a newly established sleep center. In addition to working on new projects, there are also abundant opportunities to work with existing data across multiple research programs and diseases.
Requirements for the position include: a Ph.D. in neuroscience or related field, strong background in MRI data analysis including multivariate methods (multivariate pattern analysis/representational similarity analysis), and demonstrable skill in one or more programming languages (e.g. Matlab or Python). Exceptionally strong statistical skills are highly desired. The successful applicant would have a strong first-author publication record and a demonstrable interest in learning and memory. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are a must. A desire to mentor and teach graduate and undergraduate students is also a plus. Beyond qualifications and skills, the successful applicant should be collaborative, resourceful, and productive and must be able to manage multiple research projects with ease and have an eye for common approaches and themes.
In addition to lab funding, candidates may also qualify for support through T32 institutional training grant mechanisms, postdoc NRSA, and collaborative projects. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Salary is based on NIH pay scales and start date is flexible. To apply, please send a cover letter and CV detailing your research experience directly to the PI, Dr. Michael Yassa at myassa@uci.edu.
Prospective Graduate Students
If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, please contact the PI. Candidates will be considered based on prior research experience and a solid foundation in neuroscience, psychology and mathematics. In particular, experience with programming (e.g. MATLAB, C++, Python, UNIX) is desirable. Experience with functional and/or structural neuroimaging methods is a plus but is not necessary.
Students are admitted to the lab exclusively through the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (INP) at UCI. Deadline is in December of every year
For additional information or questions contact the INP program administrator:
Mr. Gary R. Roman
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program
Natural Sciences ll, 4145
Irvine, California 92697-3915
Tel: 949-824-6226
Email: gary.roman@uci.edu
Bio 199 Undergraduate Research Assistantship
Undergraduates in neurobiology or a related discipline can complete Bio 199 research in the lab. Admission to these limited spots is competitive. To inquire about undergraduate assistantship and Bio 199 research please send your resume and cover letter to Liv McMillan at yassalabresearch@uci.edu.
We require a minimum of a 9 hour/week commitment for at least one academic year and hope to attract undergraduates who are self-directed but capable of taking initiative on personal projects, as well as their work with staff, graduate students, and post docs. Therefore, we expect most of our undergraduates to apply for the undergraduate research opportunities program (UROP) at some point during their time with us.
To demonstrate your interest and commitment to building your critical thinking and research skills, we ask that you please submit a 0.5 page outline of a project you hope to further develop while working in the lab. This does not have to be a fully-considered proposal, but is simply an indication that you have read through the website and previous work, and envision yourself contributing to our research in an area that interests you.
