Employer: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
School: David Geffen School of Medicine
Laboratory: X. William Yang Laboratory
Affiliations: Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute; Brain Research Institute
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Position Type: Full-time Postdoctoral Fellowship
Salary: DOE (Dependent on Experience)
Application Deadline: 17 April 2026

Position Overview

The X. William Yang Laboratory at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate in vivo molecular pathogenic mechanisms underlying Huntington’s disease (HD).

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to join a highly productive, internationally recognized research group that integrates genetics, genomics, systems biology, and cutting-edge neurotechnology to study neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Research Environment

The Yang Lab has a strong track record of pioneering discoveries and technology development, including:

• Development of widely used human genomic transgenic mouse models of HD
  (Neuron, 2022; J. Neurosci., 2008)

• Systems-level analysis of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic network dysregulation in HD
  (Nature Neuroscience, 2016; Neuron, 2012)

• Large-scale mouse genetic studies identifying mismatch repair complex genes as drivers of selective neuronal vulnerability via somatic repeat expansion
  (Cell, 2025)

• Identification of neuronal targets of huntingtin lowering to ameliorate HD pathogenesis
  (Nature Medicine, 2014)

• Demonstration of TREM2 boosting as a therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer’s disease
  (Neuron, 2018)

• Development of the MORF method (a “genetic Golgi staining” approach) and advanced imaging and informatics pipelines for whole-brain, single-neuron morphological mapping
  (Neuron, 2020; Nature Neuroscience, 2025)

The lab is also a key contributor to BRAIN Initiative–supported technologies, enabling brain-wide single-neuron mapping and in vivo single-cell genetic perturbations.

Research Focus

The successful candidate will investigate:

• Molecular and genetic mechanisms driving neuronal pathogenesis in Huntington’s disease

• In vivo genetic and genomic perturbations in mouse models

• Systems-level network dysregulation underlying neurodegeneration

• Translational strategies for therapeutic intervention

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, or a closely related field

• Strong motivation to study brain disease and neurodegeneration

• Demonstrated productivity, creativity, independence, and strong work ethic

Required Expertise (one or more of the following)

• Molecular biology (e.g., molecular cloning, omics profiling, viral-based in vivo studies)

• Mouse genetics

• Neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease models

Training & Career Development

The Yang Lab is embedded within one of the largest and most collaborative neuroscience communities worldwide at UCLA. Postdoctoral fellows benefit from:

• Strong mentorship and scientific guidance

• Access to extensive collaborative networks across academia and industry

• Opportunities to lead high-impact projects and publish in top-tier journals

• Exposure to cutting-edge neurogenetic and neurotechnological platforms

Why UCLA

UCLA provides a world-class research environment with exceptional infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to a vibrant biomedical ecosystem in Los Angeles. The Semel Institute and Brain Research Institute offer unparalleled resources for neuroscience research and training.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Statement of research experience and future research goals

Applications should be submitted directly to the Yang Lab (contact details provided upon inquiry or via UCLA recruitment channels).

📅 Application deadline: 17 April 2026

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