Postdoctoral researcher / PhD-level research associate / visiting scholar (transplantation and regenerative medicine)

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  
  

  The Komatsu Lab at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is currently recruiting a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD-level research associate, or a visiting scholar, depending on experience, career stage, and funding status. Our laboratory is part of the Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, and is located on the Parnassus campus, the main clinical and research hub of UCSF. We conduct translational research with a strong emphasis on clinical application, with the goal of developing cell-based therapies that provide curative treatment for diabetes.
  
  Islet transplantation, which involves isolating insulin-secreting islets from the pancreas and transplanting them into patients with diabetes, is currently performed in the United States, Europe, and Japan. However, its broader clinical adoption remains limited due to several unresolved challenges. Our research focuses on improving the engraftment efficiency of transplanted cells and developing less invasive transplantation strategies, particularly subcutaneous approaches, to reduce patient burden.
  
  Our work integrates transplant surgery, metabolic endocrinology, and engineering. Through both domestic and international collaborations, we develop technologies that improve the microenvironment of transplanted cells, with a particular focus on enhancing engraftment through optimized oxygen delivery. In parallel, we collaborate with stem cell researchers to address donor shortages by enabling the transplantation of stem cell-derived islets.
  
  We are also advancing our research toward the fabrication of insulin-secreting pancreatic organoids. These organoids require complex three-dimensional structures and present significant engineering challenges. A major focus of our work is to understand and control oxygen transport within organoids, enabling the survival of larger constructs without hypoxia-induced cell death.

  
  

  https://hirnetwork.org/investigator-profile-hirotake-komatsu

• Work content and job description

  
  

  The Principal Investigator (PI) has over 10 years of clinical surgical experience in Japan and previously held postdoctoral and faculty positions at City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 2024, the PI joined UCSF. Our research is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), major disease-focused foundations such as Breakthrough T1D, and industry collaborations.
  
  The PI holds joint appointments at the UCSF Diabetes Center and the UCSF Liver Center, providing strong opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. We maintain active collaborations with institutions including UCLA, Caltech, UC Irvine, and the University of Cincinnati, as well as international partners such as Kyoto University (CiRA), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Jikei University School of Medicine, and Tokyo Women’s Medical University.
  
  The PI serves on the Young Investigator Committee of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA), fostering connections with early-career researchers worldwide. Our lab provides a supportive environment for career development and international networking. Notably, a current postdoctoral fellow was recently selected for the IPITA Young Investigator Committee, reflecting strong mentorship within our group.
  
  We welcome applicants from diverse fields, including surgery, metabolic and endocrine medicine, biology, and engineering. Prior experience in transplant research is not required; however, a solid foundation in basic research is expected, including in vitro techniques such as cell culture and protein, RNA, and DNA assays. Proficiency in standard software tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and basic statistical analysis is also required.
  
  Basic communication skills in English are essential, as English is the primary language of the lab. We value intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, and resilience, and welcome applicants motivated to take on new scientific challenges.

• Assigned department

  
  

  Existing departments

  
  

  Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery

Job type

• Researcher/Postdoc level

Research field

• Life Science - Metabolism and endocrinology
• Life Science - General surgery and pediatric surgery

Wages

• Annual salary: $65,000 or more, depending on experience.

Working hours

• Working hours :09:00-17:00

  
  

  Holidays : Holidays: 40 hours per week (approximately 8 hours per day), two days off per week, 13 holidays per year, and 2-3 weeks of vacation annually.

Application requirements

Qualifications

• Education and Degree Requirements

  
  

  Ph.D. / Doctor

  
  

  Ph.D. (including those expected to obtain their degree) in the fields of medical, dental, pharmaceutical, or engineering sciences.

• Work experience

  
  

  Applicants must hold (or be expected to obtain) a PhD in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, science, engineering, or a related field.
  
  Candidates with expertise in molecular biology, animal models, or engineering are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience in biomedical research is also welcome.
  
  We actively support applications for international fellowships and external funding, including those submitted prior to the start of the position at UCSF, to help ensure stable research support. Candidates with independent or extramural funding are strongly encouraged to apply. Self-funded researchers are also welcome to join as visiting scholars.

• Description

  
  

  We actively provide support for applying for overseas fellowship grants.

Employment Type

• Regular employee

Contract period

• Nontenured - Non-tenure track

  
  

  2–3 years, with the possibility of extension.

  
  

  Probationary period absent

  
  

  A probationary or training period may be arranged for candidates with less experience who require additional mentorship, including those joining as visiting scholars.

Work location

• Others

  
  

  Transplant Research Lab
  
  The University of California, San Francisco
  
  513 Parnassus Ave.
  
  San Francisco, CA 94143

Compensation

• Various systems

  
  

  Pay increase system : Salary increases in accordance with NIH and UCSF guidelines.

• Insurance

  
  

  Employees'' Health Insurance : Yes

  
  

  Employment insurance : Yes

  
  

  Others : Personal pension plan available.

Application Considerations

Number of hired

1 person(s)

Application period

• 2026/03/30~2026/12/31 Deadline for receipt

Application method

• Attached documents

  
  

  Application Form : Online Submission

  
  

  Achievements and Activities : Online Submission

  
  

  Other online application forms

  
  
  1. CV (Resume, in English)
  2. Summary of past research experience (1 page, in English)
  3. Statement of purpose (0.5 - 1 page, in either English)
  4. Contact information for 3-5 references
     
     Please compile items 1)-4) into a single PDF and send it to hirotake.komatsu@ucsf.edu.

• Return of application documents

  
  

  We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.

URL of this job posting

Selection / Notification of result

• Selection

  
  

  Candidates who pass the document screening will be invited to a Zoom interview.

• Notification of result

  
  

  You will be notified via email within two weeks after the interview. The recruitment will close once the position is filled.

Contact details

University of California, San Francisco

Department of Surgery

Hirotake Komatsu

14155141555

hirotake.komatsu(at)ucsf.edu

* Please change (at) to @ and send it.

Notes