Pediatrics Neurology - Research Series - Jeste Lab

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jeste Lab in the UCLA Department of Pediatrics seeks a Researcher to lead translational biomarker work in autism and related conditions. You will direct EEG and eye-tracking research, co-write grants and manuscripts, oversee daily lab operations, and supervise postdocs and students.

The role blends independent science with lab leadership and mentorship, contributing to high-impact projects funded by NIH and other foundations.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, cognitive science or a related field.
• Candidates with a master's degree and substantial equivalent research experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Set scientific direction for the lab and design studies in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Lead acquisition and analysis of EEG data and related biomarkers, including eye tracking.
• Establish standardized data processing pipelines and ensure quality control across sites.
• Co-write federal and foundation grant applications and supervise staff on projects.

Skills

EEG data analysis

Eye-tracking analysis

Lab leadership

Education

PhD in neuroscience or related field

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

Cultural North Star

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 Medical School | Cultural North Star | UCLA Medical School

All aspects of searches are confidential and all candidates are expected to review and abide by UC Regents Policy 1111 on Statement on Ethical Values and Standards of Conduct

• PhD in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, cognitive science or a related field. Candidates with a master's degree and substantial equivalent research experience will be considered.