Pediatrics Neurology - Research Series - Jeste Lab

University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jeste Lab at UCLA seeks a Researcher to serve as a senior scientific partner to the Principal Investigator, leading translational biomarker research for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and genetic neurodevelopmental syndromes. This role combines independent scientific work with lab leadership.

The Researcher will direct the lab's EEG and eye-tracking biomarker research, co-write grants and manuscripts with the PI, oversee daily lab operations, and supervise

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in neuroscience or a closely related field.
• Proven track record in translational biomarker research with EEG/eye-tracking.
• Experience supervising postdocs, students and staff in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Set the lab's scientific direction and design studies with the PI.
• Lead EEG data acquisition and analysis and related biomarkers.
• Establish standardized data processing pipelines and QA across sites.
• Co-write federal and foundation grant applications and progress reports.
• Oversee daily lab operations, timelines, staffing and budgets.

Skills

Senior researcher leadership

EEG data analysis

Eye-tracking biomarker research

Grant writing

Lab management

Education

PhD in Neuroscience/Related Field

Tools

Python

R

Job description

Position overview

The Jeste Lab in the UCLA Department of Pediatrics seeks a Researcher to serve as a senior scientific partner to the Principal Investigator. This person will help lead a translational research program on early biomarkers, diagnosis and intervention in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID) and genetic neurodevelopmental syndromes. The role combines independent scientific work with lab leadership. The Researcher will direct the lab's EEG and eye-tracking biomarker research, co-write grants and manuscripts with the PI, oversee daily lab operations, and supervise postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and research staff on their own projects and analyses.

About the lab

The lab is led by Shafali Jeste, MD, Professor and Mattel Executive Endowed Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, Executive Medical Director of Pediatrics in the UCLA Health System, and Executive Director of the UCLA Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute. Dr. Jeste is a behavioral child neurologist with more than 160 peer-reviewed publications.

The lab's work aims to improve precision in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Current and recent areas include:

• Early predictors of autism that integrate EEG and other biomarkers with behavioral measures to identify atypical development before diagnosis
• Biomarker and outcome measure development in genetic syndromes, including Dup15q and Angelman syndromes
• Early intervention trials, including the first randomized controlled trial of behavioral intervention for infants with a genetic form of autism
• Aligning Research to Impact Autism (ARIA), a large initiative Dr. Jeste has co-led since 2024 to accelerate discovery and therapeutic development

The research is closely tied to multidisciplinary clinical programs for children with complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Funding comes from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Simons Foundation, the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, the Dup15q Alliance and the Sergey Brin Family Foundation.

Responsibilities

Scientific leadership

• Partner with the PI to set the lab's scientific direction, develop new research aims and design studies
• Lead acquisition and analysis of EEG data (resting-state spectral power, event-related potentials, connectivity) and related biomarkers such as eye tracking
• Establish and maintain standardized pipelines for data processing, quality control and harmonization across studies and sites
• Pursue an independent line of inquiry within the lab's program, with first- and senior-author opportunities

Grants and publications

• Co-write federal and foundation grant applications, including NIH R01 and U-series mechanisms, renewals and progress reports
• Lead and co-author manuscripts, conference presentations and data-sharing submissions
• Contribute to reviews, white papers and consortium deliverables, including ARIA

Lab management

• Oversee daily lab operations, study timelines, staffing and budgets in coordination with the PI
• Manage IRB protocols, regulatory compliance and data security
• Coordinate with clinical programs, collaborating sites and family foundations

Mentorship and supervision

• Supervise postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduates and research staff on their independent projects and analyses
• Train lab members in EEG and eye-tracking acquisition with infants and children with ASD and ID, and in analytic methods
• Review analysis plans, code and drafts, and help trainees develop their own funding applications

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