Postdoctoral Researcher Position – Gut–Vagus–Brain Axis and Substance Use Disorders– Llorente Lab

UC San Diego; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Llorente Lab within the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine. The position investigates the gut–vagus–brain axis and mechanisms linking the gastrointestinal system with substance use disorders using preclinical models and patient-derived samples.

The lab focuses on intestinal homeostasis, neuroimmune signaling, and brain circuits involved in addiction, with translational aims including bacteriophage-based therapies and

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience or related biomedical science discipline required.
• Experience or strong interest in gut–brain axis, vagus nerve biology, and translational biomedicine preferred.
• Candidates should have background in one or more areas listed (neuroscience, GI biology, microbiome, molecular/cellular biology).

Skills

Vagus nerve biology

Neuroscience

Enteric nervous system

Gastrointestinal biology

Microbiome

Molecular biology

Translational biomedical research

Education

PhD in neuroscience or related biomedical science

Tools

Single-cell RNA sequencing

Spatial transcriptomics

Metabolomics

Metagenomics

Organoid cultures

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher Position – Gut–Vagus–Brain Axis and Substance Use Disorders– Llorente Lab

The Llorente Lab within the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine at UC San Diego, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our NIH-funded research program investigating the biological mechanisms linking the gastrointestinal system, the nervous system, and substance use disorders. Our research focuses on understanding how chronic exposure to alcohol and drugs of abuse alters intestinal homeostasis, enteric and vagal nervous system function, neuroimmune signaling, and brain circuits involved in addiction. We aim to define mechanisms underlying the gut–vagus–brain axis in substance use disorders and identify novel therapeutic strategies with translational potential.

Our lab research also focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate intestinal homeostasis, including interactions among the intestinal epithelium, microbiome, and immune system, and how these processes influence liver disease, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), as well as substance use disorders. Our projects investigate the gut–liver axis and gut–vagus–brain axis using preclinical animal models and patient-derived samples. We employ cutting-edge approaches, including metabolomics, metagenomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and intestinal and liver organoid cultures, to uncover mechanisms underlying disease and identify novel therapeutic strategies. A major goal of our research is translational: to identify and develop innovative therapeutic approaches for liver disease and substance use disorders, including bacteriophage-based therapies and other microbiome-targeted interventions.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD in neuroscience, neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, physiology, or a related biomedical science discipline.

We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise or strong interest in one or more of the following areas:

• Vagus nerve biology and gut–brain communication
• Neuroscience and neurobiology
• Enteric nervous system or peripheral neurobiology
• Gastrointestinal biology and intestinal homeostasis
• Microbiome and host–microbe interactions
• Molecular and cellular biology
• Translational biomedical research

Experience with animal models of substance use disorders, behavioral assays, vagal or nodose ganglion biology, enteric nervous system studies, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, transcriptomics, single-cell or single-nucleus sequencing, metabolomics, FACS/flow cytometry, or organoid/cell culture systems would be advantageous. We are particularly interested in scientists who want to bridge fundamental neuroscience with gastrointestinal and translational biomedicine and develop an independent research direction at the intersection of these fields.

Research Environment

The candidate will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment at UC San Diego, with opportunities to work across neuroscience, gastroenterology, immunology, microbiome science, and translational medicine. Our research program integrates preclinical models, patient-derived samples, advanced molecular technologies, and computational approaches to address clinically relevant questions in substance use disorders and gastrointestinal disease.

We look forward to hearing from enthusiastic and motivated scientists interested in advancing our understanding of the gut–liver and gut–brain axes and developing new therapeutic strategies for human disease.