Postdoctoral Scholar - UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT)

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA CASIT is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join an interdisciplinary team at the forefront of wearable sensors and digital health. The role emphasizes clinical studies, regulatory coordination, and collaboration with engineers, clinicians, and researchers to advance patient care. Applicants should hold an M.D.

or Ph.D. in Biomedical Science or related fields and have a track record of publishing in high-impact journals.

Qualifications

• Clinical research coordination and operational management.
• Human motion analysis, gait assessment, and rehabilitation.
• Publication of peer-reviewed research in high-impact journals.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong record of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support innovative clinical studies in digital health.
• Oversee and coordinate clinical research operations, including regulatory compliance and participant engagement.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets from wearable devices, sensors, and clinical assessments.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including clinicians, engineers, and researchers.
• Mentor students and junior research staff.
• Assist in developing research protocols and managing project timelines and deliverables.

Skills

Clinical research coordination

Human motion analysis

Publication in journals

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

M.D. or Ph.D. in Biomedical Science, Kinesiology, Movement Science, Occupational Therapy

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales (Academic salaries | UCOP) set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 23: Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee, Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow, Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct, Fiscal Year

Application Window

Open date: August 24, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Thursday, Dec 31, 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

The UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join our dynamic interdisciplinary team, where engineers, clinicians, and industry partners collaborate to drive innovation and transform patient care.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a M.D. or Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Science, Kinesiology, Movement Science, Occupational Therapy, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in the following areas:

• Clinical research coordination and operational management


• Human motion analysis, gait assessment, and rehabilitation


• Publication of peer-reviewed research in high-impact journals


• Excellent communication skills and a strong record of interdisciplinary collaboration

At UCLA's CASIT, our interdisciplinary team is dedicated to bridging disciplinary gaps and rethinking how innovation is integrated into patient care to improve clinical outcomes. Our current projects include developing wearable sensors and telehealth solutions to monitor physical and cognitive resilience, advancing personalized care coordination for home-based settings, creating innovative technologies for individualized wound care, and designing targeted interventions to enhance balance, reduce pain, and alleviate fatigue. These efforts aim to expand access to personalized care, strengthen patient engagement, improve provider-patient communication, and support healthy aging and longevity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and support innovative clinical studies in digital health


• Oversee and coordinate clinical research operations, including regulatory compliance and participant engagement


• Analyze and interpret complex datasets from wearable devices, sensors, and clinical assessments


• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including clinicians, engineers, and researchers


• Mentor students and junior research staff


• Assist in developing research protocols and managing project timelines and deliverables

The posted UC salary scales (Academic salaries | UCOP) set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 23: Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee, Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow, Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct, Fiscal Year

Why Join Us?

• Primary Appointment with the Department of Surgery: Directly interact with clinicians and patients, gaining invaluable experience as a biomedical scientist.


• Engage in Groundbreaking Research: Contribute to innovative projects that directly improve the well-being of the aging population.


• Collaborate with Leading Experts: Work with top professionals in digital health, surgery, neurology, behavioral science, and geriatric in a multidisciplinary setting.


• Access State-of-the-Art Facilities: Utilize advanced resources and cutting-edge research facilities at UCLA.


• Professional Development Opportunities: Benefit from ample opportunities for career growth and advancement within a leading academic and research institution.

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 standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program.

Joining our team offers a unique combination of clinical exposure, research innovation, and professional development, placing you at the forefront of advancements in healthcare technology and patient care.

For additional information please contact: Bijan Najafi, Ph.D. Professor of Surgery & BioEngineering Research Director, Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology (CASIT) [e-mail].

Qualifications

M.D. or Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Science, Kinesiology, Movement Science, Occupational Therapy, or a related field

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.


• Cover Letter


• Statement of Research (Optional)


• 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

• 3 required (contact information only)

Contact information for references is being requested but will not be used at this time. Final candidates will be notified in advance if the need to contact references is used as part of the final selection process.

Help contact: [e-mail]

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: Afffirative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

Los Angeles, CA