The UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) conducts research, provides research training and clinical training, and arranges treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) in coordination with the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and in affiliation with local, state, and federal agencies, and community-based treatment providers. UCLA ISAP regularly contracts with multiple state agencies, including the CA Department of Health Care Services and the Department of Cannabis Control, to evaluate a number of SUD-related policies and programs. Specifically, UCLA ISAP is currently evaluating the impact of the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) Waiver, the Recovery Incentives Program: California’s Contingency Management Benefit, the State’s MAT expansion efforts, Proposition 64, and assessing the health of California’s cannabis industry. 

Duties:

• Assist with existing evaluation and research projects with regard to appropriate empirical methodology, execution of statistical analyses, and manuscript and report preparation.
• Assist with the development and submission of new grant proposals.
• Participate in project meetings on a weekly basis.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in economics, public policy, public health, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Experience in health, mental health, or substance use-related research. 
• Strong econometric skills, with experience implementing quasi-experimental research designs in health-related research settings.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct statistical analyses using R, STATA, SAS, or similar statistical software packages.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and an ability to present findings before an audience.
• Demonstrated ability to write journal-quality manuscripts.
• Interest in substance use disorders and health policy.
  
  

  Pay range: 60-75k

  PD Experience Level: 0 years

  Hiring Manager/contact: dkhurana@mednet.ucla.edu

  Title: Postdoctoral Scholar

  Work Modality: Hybrid (twice a week on campus or as necessary)

The O’Neill Lab (https://www.semel.ucla.edu/oneill-lab) at UCLA is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to join our team in the Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology. We are affiliated with the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences.

Our research focuses on developing new imaging methods and optogenetics strategies for diverse neuroscience applications. We are especially interested in developing new methods for optogenetic control of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and synaptic transmission, and new imaging methods for neuroanatomical measurements of GPCR signaling. The postdoctoral scholar will be involved in establishing these new technologies using a combination of protein engineering, cell culture (cell lines and primary neurons), high throughput assays for GPCR signaling, cryosectioning, and both fixed and live cell imaging. Additionally, there will be excellent opportunities for collaboration within the Hatos Center to apply these new methods in rodent models of chronic pain and drug addiction.

Candidates are expected to have a PhD in a relevant area: Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, etc. We especially encourage applications from candidates with experience in one or more of the following: GPCR signaling, protein engineering, live cell imaging, optogenetics.

Located in an urban setting, UCLA is California’s largest university with a diverse student body of 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students, approximately 25% that come from underrepresented minority groups. As a campus with a continually growing diverse student body, we encourage applications from women, minorities, and individuals with a commitment to the success of underrepresented groups in behavioral science.

Interested candidates should provide a cover letter and forward their CV and names of 3 references to:

Patrick O’Neill, PhD
Assistant Researcher
Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
proneill@ucla.edu

Suzette Glasner Ph.D. from the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) is looking to hire one graduate student researcher for our projects on substance use. Any field is welcome. All work can be done remotely. This position is for 20 hours per week starting immediately/for the summer quarter and the following quarters. 

GSR for our study: HEAL imFREE Study (Effectiveness of a CBT-based mHealth Intervention Targeting Medication for Opiate Use Disorder Retention, Adherence, and Opioid Use, Randomized Trial) 

Goal: This aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of imFREE relative to mHealth ED in facilitating treatment retention and adherence and reducing opioid use among adults with Opiate Use Disorder (OUD) initiating Buprenorphine (BUP) treatment. Participants with history of OUD will be recruited to complete a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a new smartphone-based application aimed to address critical barriers to retention and adherence to Buprenorphine (BUP) treatment 

GSR role: Interview participants, collect data and perform quality control remotely. Conduct 1-time CBT sessions or Health Education sessions 1:1 over zoom with participants. Conduct monthly unannounced film medication counts (Buprenorphine) with all participants. All participants will be asked to gather their Buprenorphine films and count them with the GSR on the phone or over Zoom in order to calculate their medication adherence. Maintain film count study log. Keep Project Director and PI informed of current assessment and interview issues to insure and maintain high quality interviews. Knowledge of all Microsoft programs, including Access. Duties may include preparing reports, presentations, taking focus group notes, or other tasks as needed depending on experience, skillset and project need.  

We are seeking a GSR who has some clinical experience with SUD and Mental Health and strong interviewing skills, psychology, public health, social work, nursing, or related fields. The ideal candidate will have experience working with survey data and proficiency in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. As needed, the GSR may assist with follow-up interviews with participants. 

If you are interested in these positions, email Anne B. Lee, abellowslee@mednet.ucla.edu. Please attach a copy of your resume/CV and a brief description of your interests. 

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