Assistant Project Scientist in Virology

UCLA's Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics is seeking to fill a full-time Assistant Project Scientist position in the Mehdi Bouhaddou Lab. The incumbent will study post-translational modifications at the virus-host using a combination of experimental virology, mass spectrometry proteomics, and bioinformatics.

About the Lab

The Bouhaddou lab is a Quantitative Systems Biology lab that opened in February 2023 as part of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) and Quantitative and Computational Biosciences Institute (QCBio) at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The lab is generally focused on studying virus-host interactions using mass spectrometry proteomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to systematically compare how different viruses manipulate, and are manipulated by, host-generated post-translational modifications. Candidates need no prior experience in mass spectrometry proteomics or computer programming, only prior experience in molecular virology and molecular biology is required.

The lab is open to studying a range of viruses and host systems, interested to:

Map host post-translational modification cascades manipulated by different viruses.
Identify mechanisms by which viruses manipulate signaling cascades.
Understand the impact of viral protein post-translational modifications.
Identify host enzyme dependencies to identify multi-virus therapeutic targets.

The Bouhaddou lab possesses a mass spectrometry instrument as well as adjoining wet and dry lab space, available to lab members for training and research.

Specific responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

Conduct research on how different viruses perturb the host and viral phosphorylation landscape during infection using mass spectrometry phosphoproteomics.
Carry out both molecular biology techniques, including cloning, quantitative PCR, and western blotting.
Perform mammalian cell culture in a BSL-2 environment.
Perform virology experiments in a BSL-3 environment.
Mentor graduate students and other members of the lab to perform molecular virology techniques.
Assist with preparation of grant proposals.
Prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. or M.D. degree (or equivalent)
Prior expertise in molecular virology and molecular biology

Interested candidates should apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF09196.