Post-Doctoral Scientist University of California San Diego

The Brain Mechanisms of Pain and Health Laboratory, directed by Professor Fadel Zeidan, PhD, and affiliated with the UCSD Center for Psychedelic Research, seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to an innovative research portfolio investigating neural mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of meditation, psilocybin-assisted therapy, and cannabis for chronic pain conditions.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on multiple NIH-funded and foundation-supported clinical trials, gain expertise in advanced neuroimaging techniques, and contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of neuroscience, pain science, and contemplative therapies.

Title: Postdoctoral Fellow

Department: Anesthesiology

Duration: 2-3 years (renewable based on funding and performance)

Start Date: ASAP

• Conduct neuroimaging studies (perfusion fMRI/arterial spin labeling, BOLD imaging) to investigate neural correlates of therapeutic interventions
• Participate in the design, recruitment, and conduct of randomized controlled trials examining mindfulness meditation, psilocybin-assisted therapy, and cannabis for chronic pain populations
• Perform advanced neuroimaging data analysis and statistical interpretation
• Contribute to data management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance for clinical trials
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and present findings at scientific conferences
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members including clinicians, data scientists, and research staff
• Mentor junior laboratory members and research assistants
• Contribute to grant writing and research proposal development

Postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to work on funded research including:

• Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction versus psychedelic-assisted therapy for chronic low back pain
• Psilocybin-assisted therapy for phantom limb pain
• Mindfulness-based intervention for chronic low back pain with neuroimaging endpoints

• PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, physiology, or related field
• Strong background in research methodology, statistics, and quantitative analysis
• Experience with neuroimaging data acquisition and/or analysis (fMRI strongly preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Commitment to rigorous science and ethical research conduct

• Hands-on experience with fMRI data processing and analysis pipelines
• Clinical trial experience, including patient recruitment and informed consent procedures
• Knowledge of meditation, contemplative practices, or psychedelic science
• Programming skills (MATLAB, FSL, Python, R, or similar languages)

The Zeidan Laboratory is part of a vibrant research community at UC San Diego with generous paid time off. Our laboratory values:

• Scientific rigor and integrity
• Collaborative and collegial work environment
• Respect for participants and their experiences
• Rigorous training and professional development
• Work-life balance
• Diversity and inclusivity

The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities, a supportive mentoring relationship with Professor Zeidan, and opportunities for independent research development and career advancement.

• Competitive salary commensurate with postdoctoral fellowship standards and experience
• Full benefits package including health insurance, dental, and vision
• Professional development funding for conference travel and training

UC San Diego is a premier research institution with world-class facilities and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. The Department of Anesthesiology is recognized for its innovative pain research, and the UCSD Center for Psychedelic Research is at the forefront of clinical psychedelic science.

UC San Diego is committed to creating a community in which a diverse mix of talented people want to work. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or veteran status.