Postdoctoral Scientist - Ajami Lab - Department of Neurology

Job Description

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research? Take action now by applying to this great opportunity!

Cedars-Sinai offers scientists unparalleled access to ground breaking technologies, facilities, and resources for conducting research related to an impressive range of diseases and disorders, from cancer, cardiology, and digestive diseases, to genetics, genomics, neurosciences, and women's health.

Dr. Bahareh Ajami invites you to consider this Posdoctoral Scientist opportunity to join her dynamic team!

About the Team

The Ajami Lab is establishing a new research program at Cedars-Sinai focused on immune mechanisms of hearing loss. The lab has identified three molecularly distinct macrophage populations in the cochlea (manuscript under revision at Immunity). We have developed unique genetic mouse models that allow selective targeting of each population, enabling direct testing of causal roles of immune cells in sensory system pathology.

About the Role

Working independently but in close collaboration and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and other Research Scientist, the Postdoctoral Scientist will perform routine and sophisticated laboratory procedures throughout this training period. The incumbent may develop, adapt, and implement new research techniques and protocols. This position is not responsible for generating grant funds.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs and performs experiments.
• Maintains experimental records and documentation and analyzes the results with the Principal Investigator.
• Analyzes interpret, summarizes, and compiles data.
• Operates and maintains equipment and instruments.
• May observe MD-patient or MD-human research subject interactions as it pertains directly to research being performed.

This position will support the following projects:

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (R01-funded)

• Defines how distinct cochlear macrophage populations contribute to injury, synaptic loss, and repair following acoustic trauma.

Congenital CMV & Immune-Mediated Hearing Loss

• Establishes and interrogates models of viral-induced hearing loss to determine how macrophage subsets drive or protect against pathology during development.

Department-Specific Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes in vivo studies using genetic mouse models.
• Builds and establishes auditory phenotyping platforms (ABR, DPOAE, noise exposure systems) from the ground up.
• Integrates auditory biology with immunological and single-cell approaches.
• Mentors trainees and drive high-impact publications.

Qualifications

Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Doctorate degree, required. PhD degree in Audiology, Auditory Neuroscience, Physiology, or closely related field.
• Completion of postdoctoral scholar training as applicable.
• Strong expertise in auditory systems and hearing assessment (ABR, DPOAE, cochlear physiology) is critical for this role.
• Demonstrated experience setting up or running auditory phenotyping platforms is highly desirable.
• Strong track record of independent research and publication.
• Immunology experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency.

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