Assistant Project Scientist Position in Cardiology - Vaseghi Lab 2026-2027

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks an Assistant Project Scientist in the Vaseghi laboratory to drive translational studies on autonomic regulation in heart disease. You will lead projects, supervise experiments, analyze data and contribute to publications and grant applications.

Ideal candidates hold an MD/PhD with 4+ years post-doctoral experience in translational research, and will mentor junior researchers while developing reproducible workflows for complex cardiovascular

Qualifications

• MD and/or PhD in Physiology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Biology or related fields.
• 4+ years of post-doctoral translational research experience with publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead translational projects on autonomic neural pathways in cardiovascular disease.
• Supervise experiments, analyze data and build reproducible workflows.
• Mentor junior lab members and contribute to grant proposals and manuscripts.

Skills

Animal surgeries

Cardiac physiology

Electrophysiology

Molecular biology

Optogenetics

Neural recordings

Education

MD/PhD in Physiology/Pharmacology/Neuroscience/Biology

Tools

qPCR

ELISA

Immunohistochemistry

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: See Table 37-B. A reasonable estimate for this position is $79,400 - $92,200.

Application Window

Open date: September 24, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Oct 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Monday, Oct 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

The Vaseghi laboratory in the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is seeking an Assistant Project Scientist with expertise in the area of cardiovascular disease to lead translational projects involving evaluation of the role of the autonomic nervous system in the development of arrhythmias and progression of heart failure and assessment of neuromodulatory therapies. In addition to driving and leading translational research projects, applicants are expected to contribute to high impact publications and grant proposals and mentor junior researchers.

Previous experience working with cardiovascular disease models in addition to the following is highly desirable:

• Expertise in independently performing animal survival and non-survival surgeries, including creation of myocardial infarcts in rodents and/or large animal models
• Expertise in cardiac physiology and electrophysiology recordings and interpretation, including vascular flow assessments
• Strong expertise in molecular biology techniques including but limited to immunohistochemistry, qPCR., ELISA
• Optogenetic techniques
• Ex-vivo and/or in-vivo neural activity recordings, analysis, and interpretation

Expectations: Under Dr. Vaseghi's mentorship, the Assistant Project Scientist's research will focus on identifying specific neural and molecular pathways that occur with cardiovascular disease and drive progression of heart failure and arrhythmias. The Assistant Project Scientist will be responsible for supervising and/or performing experiments, analyzing data, and building reproducible workflows for projects. Duties will also include manuscript preparation, mentoring junior lab members, participating in academic activities such as lab meetings, seminars, grant development, and presentations at national and international meetings relevant to the areas of study in the lab.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have an M.D. and/or Ph.D., or equivalent, in Physiology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Biology or related fields along with demonstrated expertise (4+ years of relevant post-doctoral experience) in translational studies and a strong track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.

The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what's right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at Cultural North Star.

Basic qualifications

An M.D. and/or Ph.D., or equivalent, in Physiology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Biology or related fields is required.

Additional qualifications

Demonstrated expertise (4+ years of relevant post-doctoral experience) in translational studies and a strong track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals is required.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education. The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows: Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles Expand our reach as a global university Enhance our research and creative activities Elevate how we teach Become a more effective institution

Reference requirements

• 2-4 required (contact information only)

Please provide contact information of at least 2 references.

About UCLA

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: AffineAction and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

Los Angeles, CA