Job Location: Hicks Laboratory in the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center at University of California, Irvine in Irvine, CA.

Employing Institution: The Hicks Laboratory in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine. The position is available now. A competitive salary and benefits package will be provided. Please see HicksLab.org for more details.

Research Areas: The Hicks lab is focused on applying emerging technologies to direct stem cell fate decisions, improve skeletal muscle regeneration, and develop therapies for neuromuscular diseases. We are interested in supporting human and mouse skeletal muscle stem cells through intrinsic signaling, micro-environment cues, and novel drug discovery. This includes building stem cell niches to support stem cells in both human and transgenic mouse models. The Hicks lab also uses a patented approach to generate skeletal muscle from human pluripotent stem cells for disease modeling, developmental studies, and cell therapies. We are continually looking for ways to improve and translate iPSC muscle therapies.

Job description: Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to implement their expertise and pursue their passions within the broader context of the Hicks Lab Research Areas. Project description will be tailored per the individual. Postdocs are expected to spearhead one or more research projects, prepare first-authored publications, and mentor junior scientists in the lab. Protected time will be given to obtain specialized training through research and to implement technologies in the laboratory in partnership with the centers at UCI or nationally. Pursuit of career development activities such as presenting research at national conferences and grant writing is encouraged.

Research Environment: The Hicks Laboratory is situated in the heart of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center providing ample opportunities for access to stem cell expertise and shared research facilities. The UC Irvine Muscle Biology and Disease group brings together 15 basic scientists and clinical faculty for in-depth expertise in translational skeletal muscle research. A plethora of other organized research units throughout UC Irvine such as the NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research provide a community for early career scientists to engage in collegiate, cutting-edge training through research.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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 nondiscrimination policy.