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Substance Use Postdoctoral Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Caltech

Senior Research Associate

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$29.75 - $37.25/hr

... postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students to ensure efficient laboratory operations and ... Keep detailed record of controlled substance use. * Prepare tissue samples and perform fluorescence ...

Kodiak Sciences Inc

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

The candidate will use a combination of highly efficient organic chemistries and modern reversible ... Prior experience working with air- and moisture-sensitive substances using glovebox or Schlenk ...

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Substance Use Postdoctoral information

What is a substance use postdoctoral?

A Substance Use Postdoctoral position is a research-focused role for individuals who have recently earned a doctoral degree in fields like psychology, public health, or neuroscience. These professionals engage in advanced research on substance use, addiction, prevention, and treatment under the mentorship of senior scientists. Their work may involve clinical trials, epidemiological studies, or laboratory research, and often includes publishing scientific findings and seeking grant funding. The goal is to gain specialized expertise and prepare for independent research or academic careers.

What types of research projects and collaborations can a substance use postdoctoral fellow expect to be involved in?

As a Substance Use Postdoctoral fellow, you can expect to work on a diverse range of research projects, which may include clinical trials, epidemiological studies, or intervention development focused on substance use disorders. Collaboration is common with multidisciplinary teams, including psychologists, physicians, social workers, and statisticians. Fellows often contribute to grant writing, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, while also having opportunities to mentor graduate students or junior researchers. This collaborative environment not only advances research goals but also helps you build a strong professional network and develop new skills.

What is the difference between Substance Use Postdoctoral vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectSubstance Use PostdoctoralSubstance Abuse Counselor
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), postdoctoral trainingHigh school diploma or bachelor's degree, certification often required
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, academic institutions, clinicsRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, community agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, healthcare organizationsSubstance abuse treatment facilities, mental health agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding advanced research roles, career pathsSeeking direct client treatment roles, certification info

In summary, Substance Use Postdoctoral roles focus on research, advanced training, and academic work, requiring a doctoral degree and postdoctoral experience. Substance Abuse Counselors primarily provide direct client care in treatment settings, often with certification but less formal education. Both roles are essential in the substance use industry but serve different functions and career stages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substance use postdoctoral researcher?

To thrive as a Substance Use Postdoctoral researcher, you need a doctoral degree in psychology, public health, or a related field, along with expertise in substance use research methodologies. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS, SAS, or R), research ethics, and grant writing is often required. Strong critical thinking, effective communication, and collaborative skills help you excel in interdisciplinary research teams and disseminate findings. These competencies ensure rigorous research, successful funding, and impactful contributions to the field of substance use prevention and treatment.
What are popular job titles related to Substance Use Postdoctoral jobs in California? For Substance Use Postdoctoral jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Substance Use Postdoctoral jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Substance Use Postdoctoral jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Substance Use Postdoctoral jobs? Cities in California with the most Substance Use Postdoctoral job openings:
Substance Use Postdoctoral jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substance Use Postdoctoral job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Postdoctoral Research Position

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago

UCLA rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 76 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

186th of 617 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position description
The Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, at the University of California, Los Angeles invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Position. The laboratory is located within the Center for Health Sciences at UCLA under the direction of Dr. Massaly addressing topics related to pain, negative affect, and substance use disorders.
The Massaly Lab aims to elucidate how pain alters neuronal activity, how these changes influence the rewarding and aversive properties of stimuli, and how they contribute to vulnerability to substance use disorders. Our long-term goal is to identify novel mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to improve pain management. For additional information about our ongoing projects, we encourage you to go and visit www.massalylab.com . The Massaly Lab is seeking highly motivated, creative, and dedicated postdoctoral candidates with a strong background in pain, affective neuroscience, and/or substance use disorders who wish to build upon their prior research experience and contribute to a dynamic and collaborative research environment.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications
Appointee must possess a recent doctorate degree, in the field of neurosciences, opioid pharmacology or related disciplines.
Preferred qualifications
Candidates with prior training in one or more of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply:
• Behavioral analysis of pain and substance use disorders in rodent models
• Endogenous opioid systems and pharmacology
• Neuronal circuit tracing
• Optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches
• Fiber photometry
Application Requirements
Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
  • Statement of Research (Optional)
  • UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.
    The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:
    Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
    Expand our reach as a global university
    Enhance our research and creative activities
    Elevate how we teach
    Become a more effective institution
    Prompt for candidates for recruitment:
    Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Names and email addresses of three professional references
Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10647
Help contact: polivo@mednet.ucla.edu
About UCLA
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Los Angeles, CA

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