Open Positions
We are a team of dedicated scientists who love integrating genetic, genomic, and clinical investigation focusing on human metabolic disease. If this sounds like you, see our open positions below.
Computational Biologist
Computational genetics of insulin resistance
Description:
The Majithia Lab is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented computational research associate to perform analyses of human genetic and multi-omic data in metabolic disease. Our mission is to identify and therapeutically target the molecular drivers of insulin resistance to prevent diabetes and its complications. Working under direct supervision, the successful candidate will contribute to the lab’s mission of identifying genes that control human insulin sensitivity. This position will involve processing and analyzing large-scale sequencing datasets (e.g., bulk and single cell RNA-seq and ATAC-seq), accessing and analyzing human biobank datasets, performing genetics analyses, and applying bioinformatics pipelines. The research associate will collaborate closely with experimental and computational scientists.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in biological science, computer science, bioinformatics, or related field, or equivalent experience/training.
- Foundational knowledge of bioinformatics methods, data structures, and biological data analysis.
- Experience with programming or scripting languages, such as Python or R, and familiarity with Unix-based systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with analysis of NGS sequencing data, including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, or related ‘omics datasets.
- Operational experience with population scale biobanks such as UK Biobank, Million Veteran Program, All of Us.
- Working knowledge of cloud-based analysis platforms such as DNAnexus or comparable environments.
- Experience with statistical modeling of ‘omic data sets including proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics.
To apply:
Prior to submitting an inquiry, review the job ad for more details. Send a CV, at least two references, and a one-page statement of research interests and career goals to Amit Majithia, MD at majithialab@health.ucsd.edu.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Functional genomics in metabolic disease
Description:
We are actively recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to investigate the molecular genetic basis of metabolic diseases (T2D, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease) using functional genomic screens. Our mission is to identify and therapeutically target the molecular drivers of insulin resistance to prevent diabetes and its complications. This position will include applying perturb-Seq, functional genomics, and single-cell and bulk transcriptomic analyses of patient derived tissues to identify factors regulating insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and secretion of novel hormones, using adipocytes, hepatocytes, and primary patient-derived cells.
Requirements:
- PhD (or MD/PhD) in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering, or related.
- Hands‑on experience in molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, and CRISPR screening and/or single‑cell profiling.
- Expertise in adipocyte, hepatocyte and other metabolic cell biology.
- Publication record demonstrating research excellence.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with stem cell culture and differentiation.
- Experience using massively paralleled screening techniques including CROP-seq and Perturb-seq.
- Interest in and understanding of human genetics/GWAS.
- Experience with data analysis in R/Python.
To apply:
Prior to submitting an inquiry, review the job ad for more details. Send a CV, at least two references, and a one-page statement of research interests and career goals to Amit Majithia, MD at majithialab@health.ucsd.edu.
in vivo Functional genomics in metabolic disease
Description:
We are actively recruiting a postdoctoral fellow with a strong background in mouse models of metabolism and genetics. This position will focus on the in vivo functional characterization of novel metabolic‑disease genes using CRISPR‑based genetic screens and mouse models. We will deploy barcoded, tissue‑tropic AAV/CRISPR libraries to interrogate gene function directly in liver, adipose, muscle, and potentially other tissues, with deep molecular and physiological readouts. The ideal candidate brings technical skill in mouse genetics and handling, AAV injection, dissection, and tissue phenotyping (e.g., GTT/ITT, body composition, indirect calorimetry), and is excited to integrate tissue‑level results with single‑cell and bulk sequencing data.
Requirements:
- PhD (or MD/PhD) in Genetics, Molecular/Cell Biology, Physiology, Bioengineering, or related field.
- Demonstrated proficiency with mouse handling and in vivo procedures (e.g., injections, tissue harvests) and with AAV‑based or comparable in vivo gene‑delivery systems.
- Hands-on experience in metabolic phenotyping (at least GTT/ITT) and tissue‑level assays (histology/IHC, qPCR/ELISA, or flow cytometry).
- Strong publication record; excellent communication and teamwork.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior work designing or executing in vivo CRISPR screens (pooled or arrayed), including barcoded AAV libraries and guide design/validation.
- Experience with indirect calorimetry, hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamps, telemetry, or metabolic cage studies; advanced imaging of tissues (confocal/IF).
- Familiarity with tissue dissociation workflows, FACS of primary cells, and nuclei isolation for single‑cell/single‑nucleus profiling.
- Comfort handling NGS datasets in R/Python to triage screening hits.
- Experience maintaining transgenic/Cre‑driver lines and coordinating with core facilities.
To apply:
Prior to submitting an inquiry, review the job ad for more details. Send a CV, at least two references, and a one-page statement of research interests and career goals to Amit Majithia, MD at majithialab@health.ucsd.edu.
Graduate Students
Dr. Majithia is associated with the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) and the Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (BISB) graduate programs. If you have been admitted to a PhD program at UCSD and are interested in a rotation with the Majithia Lab, please email us with a current CV.
Prospective students seeking to be admitted to the graduate program at UCSD should apply directly to the program and accept an offer of admission prior to contacting us.
Undergraduate Researchers
The Majithia lab is always open to enthusiastic and talented undergraduate student researchers. Volunteering in the lab is an excellent opportunity for students with a strong interest in endocrinology to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic research environment. We offer 3 units of research credit for students able to commit 9 hours per week.
Available projects are described below.
Elucidating the function of novel insulin resistance genes in adipose tissue
Description:
This project focuses on functional analyses of novel insulin resistance genes and includes studies in cultured adipocyte cell lines and mouse models of insulin resistance. The student will learn adipocyte cell culture, generate expression or knockout constructs, and perform cell-based assays and mouse genotyping.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will be self-motivated, adaptable, and have some prior wet lab experience (cell culture and basic molecular biology preferred).
To apply:
Interested students should email us with a current CV and an up-to-date academic transcript.