Postdoctoral Position in Pulmonary - Belperio Lab 2026-2027

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA in Los Angeles is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join the lab of Dr. John Belperio, an NIH-funded group within the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine.

The role focuses on bioinformatics analyses of RNAseq, methylomics, proteomics, and related multi-omics data in the context of lung transplant biology. The candidate will use murine models and human samples to uncover pathways linked to fibrosis, COPD, and rejection, employing flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or MD required.
• US citizenship or permanent residency required.
• NIH Postdoctoral Training Fellowship eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Perform analyses of bulk RNAseq, ssRNAseq, and methylomics data.
• Work with mice models and human samples to identify pathways leading to fibrosis, emphysema, or granulomas.
• Apply bioinformatics and statistical methods to predict lung allograft injuries and chronic rejection.
• Collaborate on projects involving immunology, cell biology, and bioinformatics.

Skills

Biostatistics

Immunology

Bioinformatics

Education

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or M.D.

Tools

RNA sequencing

ssRNAseq

TCR sequencing

Methylomics

Proteomics

Flow cytometry

Immunohistochemistry

Immunofluorescence

Luminex

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: See Table 23. A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,073-$82,836.

Application Window

Open date: August 14, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Sep 14, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Dec 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

We are seeking applications from qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. John Belperio, an NIH-funded laboratory within the UCLA Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine.

We are looking for an M.D. or Ph.D. with a biostatistical background to work on bulk RNAseq, ssRNAseq, citi seq, TCR, methylomics, microbiome, snRNAseq, and proteomics to perform analyses via vertical platforms for predicting lung transplant allograft injuries and chronic rejection. The candidate will also have an immunology background to work with mice models and human samples for the discovery of pathways that lead to fibrosis, emphysema, or granulomas.

Our research program focuses on lung transplant with the goal of inducing murine tolerance via hematopoietic mixed chimerism without radiation in the heterotopic tracheal transplant model of murine obliterative bronchiolitis and or the orthotopic lung transplant model. This would be work dealing with naive and allo-sensitized mice. We also study pathways of acute rejection via endothelial and epithelia cell rejection and pathways of chronic rejection/fibrosis. Our program also focuses on pulmonary fibrosis with the goal of discovering novel pathways using explanted lung tissues and performing proof of concept studies using the murine bleomycin model of lung fibrosis. We also study COPD with the goal of discovering novel pathways using explanted lung tissues and performing proof of concept studies using the porcine elastase model of emphysema. Our program also focuses on Sarcoidosis, discovering novel pathways using explanted lung tissues and inducing non-necrotizing lung granuloma in mice.

Work will include using explanted human lung, lymph node tissue, bronchioalveolar lavage cells and fluid, and plasma/sera/PBMCs for ssRNAseq, proteomics, microbiome, flow cytometry, transcriptomics and methyomics. Similar studies will be performed with transgenic mice with the addition of adoptive transfer experiments and recall assays.

Typical techniques used include immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, multiplex immunofluorances, flow cytometry, Luminex multiplexing protein concentrations, snRNAseq and ssRNAseq. We also perform adoptive transfer studies and recall response assays. R-programing is preferred. The position will involve conducting experiments in our immunology and cell/molecular biology in the lab. Experience with conditional knockout mouse models, primary epithelial cell lines, flow cytometry, ELISA, protein and DNA-based molecular biology, biochemistry, cell/tissue culture, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and DNA/RNA sequencing, ssRNAseq, flow cytometry is preferred.

The projects involve both in vitro and in vivo experimentation at the intersection of immunology, cell biology, and bioinformatics. Experience with standard cellular biology techniques and working with murine in vivo models is preferred but not required. Experience in bioinformatics is preferred.

This is an NIH Postdoctoral Training Fellowship, and candidates must have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent and US citizenship or permanent residency.

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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

A Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or an M.D. is required. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.

Preferred qualifications

Experience with standard cellular biology techniques and working with murine in vivo models is preferred. Experience in bioinformatics is preferred.

Application Requirements

Document 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 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 Prompt for candidates for recruitment: Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service.

Reference requirements

None

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: Aff

Job location

Los Angeles, CA