UCI - Postdoctoral Scholar – Sparks Laboratory

UC Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine’s Sparks Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to explore molecular and epigenetic controls of early hPSC differentiation, focusing on neural crest and mesoderm lineages. The role combines stem cell biology, multi-omics, and functional validation to define intermediate states and regulatory networks.

The scholar will develop an independent research profile within a collaborative team, oversee experimental design, data integration, manuscript preparation, and contribute to future

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in stem cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics/genomics, epigenetics, biomedical sciences, toxicology, pharmacology/pharmaceutical sciences or a closely related field by the start date.
• Demonstrated experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular and/or cellular biology techniques.
• Ability to design experiments, troubleshoot methods, analyze data, interpret results, and maintain rigorous research documentation.
• Evidence of scientific productivity and the ability to communicate research findings through manuscripts, presentations, or other scholarly products.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and culture human embryonic stem cells and conduct directed differentiation experiments toward neural crest and mesoderm lineages.
• Perform side-by-side evaluation and optimization of hPSC neural crest and mesoderm differentiation protocols, including assessment of reproducibility, differentiation efficiency, cell identity, and population purity.
• Characterize differentiating cell populations using molecular and cellular approaches such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry.
• Evaluate the ability of neural crest- and mesoderm-derived populations to progress toward mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) states and characterize resulting phenotypes and lineage-specific properties.
• Conduct time-course studies to identify intermediate cell states and molecular events associated with early neural crest and mesoderm lineage commitment.
• Investigate epigenetic regulation of differentiation, with emphasis on DNA methylation, miRNA expression, transcriptional regulation, and chromatin accessibility.
• Generate, process, analyze, and/or integrate multi-omics datasets, including DNA methylation sequencing, miRNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and single-cell ATAC sequencing.
• Identify candidate genes and epigenetic regulators from integrated datasets and perform functional validation using gene knockdown and overexpression, miRNA inhibition or overexpression, and perturbation of DNA methyltransferases.
• Contribute to chromatin-focused studies, including CUT&RUN and next-generation sequencing, to identify regulatory regions associated with neural crest and mesoderm differentiation.
• Assist with the development and characterization of reporter hPSC models and other experimental approaches that emerge from the R35 research program.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results; maintain accurate, organized, and reproducible records of protocols, data, analyses, and research progress.
• Conduct targeted literature reviews and synthesize current research in stem cell biology, developmental biology, epigenetics, genomics, and related areas.
• Co-author, draft, revise, and edit manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare abstracts, posters, oral presentations, figures, and other scholarly products and present findings at laboratory meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Contribute to grant proposals and future funding applications, including scientific narratives, background and significance sections, methods, preliminary data, figures, and related proposal components.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and collaborative discussions concerning experimental design, interpretation of findings, manuscript development, and future research directions.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and investigators in developmental biology, stem cell biology, toxicology, genomics, clinical research, and related disciplines.
• Provide scientific and technical guidance to graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and other laboratory trainees, as appropriate.
• Participate in routine laboratory activities necessary to support rigorous, reproducible, ethical, and safe research practices.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology techniques

Experimental design

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in stem cell biology or related field

Tools

qPCR

Western blotting

Flow cytometry

CUT&RUN

Genomic data analysis

Job description

Position Overview

Salary range

Salary will be from $71,491 - $85,736 depending on experience. Please see UC salary chart for more info: Postdoc Salary Scale

Application Window

Open date: October 26, 2026

Next review date: Saturday, Dec 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sparks Laboratory seeks a motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to investigate the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate early human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation. The scholar will contribute to an NIGMS MIRA/R35 research program focused on neural crest (NC) and mesoderm (meso) lineage specification, with particular emphasis on DNA methylation, microRNA (miRNA) regulation, gene expression, and chromatin accessibility. The research integrates stem cell biology, developmental biology, molecular and cellular assays, and multi-omics approaches to define intermediate cell states and regulatory mechanisms during early differentiation.

The position is designed for a scholar interested in developing an independent research profile while working collaboratively on mechanistic studies of human development. Opportunities will include experimental design, generation and integration of genomic datasets, functional validation of candidate regulators, manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, and development of future research directions.

Position Responsibilities

• Maintain and culture human embryonic stem cells and conduct directed differentiation experiments toward neural crest and mesoderm lineages.
• Perform side-by-side evaluation and optimization of hPSC neural crest and mesoderm differentiation protocols, including assessment of reproducibility, differentiation efficiency, cell identity, and population purity.
• Characterize differentiating cell populations using molecular and cellular approaches such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry.
• Evaluate the ability of neural crest- and mesoderm-derived populations to progress toward mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) states and characterize resulting phenotypes and lineage-specific properties.
• Conduct time-course studies to identify intermediate cell states and molecular events associated with early neural crest and mesoderm lineage commitment.
• Investigate epigenetic regulation of differentiation, with emphasis on DNA methylation, miRNA expression, transcriptional regulation, and chromatin accessibility.
• Generate, process, analyze, and/or integrate multi-omics datasets, including DNA methylation sequencing, miRNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and single-cell ATAC sequencing.
• Identify candidate genes and epigenetic regulators from integrated datasets and perform functional validation using gene knockdown and overexpression, miRNA inhibition or overexpression, and perturbation of DNA methyltransferases.
• Contribute to chromatin-focused studies, including CUT&RUN and next-generation sequencing, to identify regulatory regions associated with neural crest and mesoderm differentiation.
• Assist with the development and characterization of reporter hPSC models and other experimental approaches that emerge from the R35 research program.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results; maintain accurate, organized, and reproducible records of protocols, data, analyses, and research progress.
• Conduct targeted literature reviews and synthesize current research in stem cell biology, developmental biology, epigenetics, genomics, and related areas.
• Co-author, draft, revise, and edit manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare abstracts, posters, oral presentations, figures, and other scholarly products and present findings at laboratory meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Contribute to grant proposals and future funding applications, including scientific narratives, background and significance sections, methods, preliminary data, figures, and related proposal components.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and collaborative discussions concerning experimental design, interpretation of findings, manuscript development, and future research directions.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and investigators in developmental biology, stem cell biology, toxicology, genomics, clinical research, and related disciplines.
• Provide scientific and technical guidance to graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and other laboratory trainees, as appropriate.
• Participate in routine laboratory activities necessary to support rigorous, reproducible, ethical, and safe research practices.

Research Environment and Professional Development

The Postdoctoral Scholar will work within a research program that uses hPSC models to understand normal and abnormal human developmental processes. The R35 program is organized around two complementary areas: (1) establishing and characterizing robust neural crest and mesoderm differentiation models and (2) determining how DNA methylation, miRNAs, gene expression, and chromatin regulation shape intermediate cell states and lineage specification. The scholar will have opportunities to develop mechanistic questions from these studies and contribute to future directions involving additional pluripotent stem cell models, epigenetic mechanisms, spatial approaches, and developmental disease models.

Appointment

This is a Postdoctoral Scholar appointment in the Sparks Laboratory in Wen Public Health at the University of California, Irvine. 100% appointment with a start date, duration, salary, and benefits will be specified in the formal recruitment and appointment materials in accordance with applicable University policies.

Application Materials

• Cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and fit with the Sparks Laboratory (required)
• Curriculum vitae (required)
• Research statement describing prior research accomplishments and future research interests (recommended)

Research Focus

The laboratory's long-term goal is to dissect mechanisms of human embryonic development using hESC/hiPSC-based models and to define transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory networks that distinguish proper from defective differentiation. Current work focuses on mapping neural crest and mesoderm differentiation trajectories and determining how DNA methylation and miRNA-mediated regulation contribute to cell-fate decisions.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in stem cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics/genomics, epigenetics, biomedical sciences, toxicology, pharmacology/pharmaceutical sciences or a closely related field by the start date.
• Demonstrated experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular and/or cellular biology techniques.
• Ability to design experiments, troubleshoot methods, analyze data, interpret results, and maintain rigorous research documentation.
• Evidence of scientific productivity and the ability to communicate research findings through manuscripts, presentations, or other scholarly products.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and fit with the Sparks Laboratory is required
• Statement of Research - Research statement describing prior research accomplishments and future research interests (Optional)

Reference Requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine 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 categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy .

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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

APM - 035: Affir

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.

Job location

Irvine, CA