Postdoctoral Positions in Pulmonary - Kulkarni Lab 2026-2027

University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in the lab of Dr. Hrishikesh Kulkarni to study how local innate immune responses, including the complement system, affect bacterial pneumonia severity.

The work spans epithelial biology and immunology using mouse models, cell culture, and advanced imaging. The successful candidate will perform both in vitro and in vivo experiments, apply flow cytometry, microscopy, ELISA, and sequencing, and collaborate across disciplines to mitigate

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biomedical sciences required.
• Experience with standard cell biology techniques and murine in vivo models.
• Experience with flow cytometry and microscopy; molecular biology experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead in vitro and in vivo experiments to study local innate immune responses and complement in pneumonia.
• Employ techniques such as flow cytometry, microscopy, ELISA, and sequencing to advance the project.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Microscopy

In vitro and in vivo experiments

Cell biology techniques

Education

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences

Job description

A postdoctoral research position is available in the lab of Dr. Hrishikesh Kulkarni, an NIH-funded laboratory in the UCLA Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to drive how local innate immune responses, such as the complement system, modulate the severity of bacterial pneumonia. The overarching goal of our research program is to determine how epithelial cell-derived proteins can be harnessed to mitigate the risk of acute lung injury in various settings, to ultimately reduce the burden of end‑stage lung disease. We utilize state‑of‑the‑art technical modalities including 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. Eligible candidates must have a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences. The project involves both in vitro and in vivo experimentation at the intersection of immunology, cell biology, molecular biology and microbiology. Experience with standard cell biology techniques as well as murine in vivo models is required, as well as microscopy and flow cytometry. Experience in molecular biology or structural biology is preferred.

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