We’re always looking for enthusiastic people to come do science with us! We especially encourage women and those from backgrounds poorly represented in STEM fields to apply to our lab- all are welcome.
As a mentor, I endeavor to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their sex, gender, racial or ethnic identity, skin color, age, sexual orientation, parental status, economic background, religion, appearance etc., can achieve their fullest potential. My goal is to help launch my trainees into the career of their choosing. While in my lab, my goal is help trainees grow as scientists, academics, communicators, and humans. As a mentor I endeavor to be ally and advocate for my trainees and to support and promote their careers.
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Post Docs
We’re currently recruiting for a NIH-funded postdoc position!
We’re currently recruiting for a postdoc to join our team to lead NIH-funded projects investigating the neural circuit underpinnings of reward learning, motivation, and decision making (see more information on our research and publications). The postdoc will work with the PI to craft and lead a project that combines their own intellectual and technical training goals and research interests with the funded goals of the lab.
The postdoc will have access to our team’s deep technical toolbox, collaborative environment, and rich intellectual expertise. There will be considerable opportunity for continued training in behavioral, systems, and/or molecular neuroscience. The postdoc will also have the opportunity to mentor junior lab members. The postdoc will also have considerable opportunity for academic and career mentoring, mentoring and support for fellowship and independent funding applications (e.g., F32, K99, etc.), networking, and travel to scientific conferences.
As a mentor, I endeavor to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their sex, gender, racial or ethnic identity, skin color, age, sexual orientation, parental status, economic background, religion, appearance etc., can achieve their fullest potential. My goal is to help launch my trainees into the career of their choosing. While in my lab, my goal is help trainees grow as scientists, academics, communicators, and humans. As a mentor I endeavor to be ally and advocate for my trainees and to support and promote their careers.
Desirable qualifications:
- PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering or other related field
- Behavioral, systems, molecular, and/or computational neuroscience research experience
- Commitment to technical, intellectual, and career development
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment
- Desire to conduct cutting-edge research
To apply please send a cover letter explaining a bit about your prior work, research interests, and training goals, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of two potential recommenders to Kate Wassum (kwassum@ucla.edu). Informal inquiries are encouraged.
Graduate Students
Tips for applying to and interview for graduate school: Resources
We take graduate students through the UCLA Neuroscience Interdepartmental program
We also take students through the UCLA Psychology graduate program: Behavioral Neuroscience or Learning & Behavior tracks.
Informal inquiries regarding the possibility of joining the lab as a graduate student are encouraged and should be directed to Kate Wassum (kwassum@ucla.edu).
Research Technicians
Technicians in our lab contribute to NIH-funded projects investigating the neural circuit underpinnings of reward learning, motivation, and decision making (see more information on our research and publications), lab management, and have opportunities for both technical and intellectual training.
Desirable qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or other related field
- Some experience with behavioral, systems, molecular, and/or computational biological research. We are open to all levels of experience & expertise.
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment
- Desire to conduct cutting-edge research
We do not currently have an open technician position.
Undergraduate Students
We are currently recruiting undergraduate research assistants to our lab!
To apply for an undergraduate research position in our lab please contact Dr. Kate Wassum (kwassum@ucla.edu). Please provide us with:
- Your CV (what’s a CV?)
- Information on why you are looking to do research in a lab, generally.
- Information on why you are particularly interested in our lab and what types of things you’d like to learn with us.
- Your overall goals for a research experience.
- Information on any of the UCLA DLAM or lab safety courses you have completed (it’s okay if the answer is none).
- Information on any prior research experience you have had (it’s okay if you haven’t had any)
- The time you are looking to invest in a research opportunity- hours/week and when this time is available and also longer-term (e.g., # of quarters).
- A brief <1 pg synopsis of one of our research papers that interests you (see our publications page).
We especially encourage those from backgrounds poorly represented in STEM fields to apply to our lab- all are welcome.
We take undergraduates from all areas of campus. Please contact your department directly for information about getting credit for research.
Funding is available to support undergraduate involvement in research.
Below are some helpful links for getting involved in undergraduate research and work study opportunities.
UCLA Undergraduate Research Center
UCLA Undergraduate Research Portal
Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities
