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Zorrilla Lab Positions

All     Postdoctoral     PhD Studies        Undergraduate       Summer Research      Technician

All

Postdoctoral

The lab is not currently actively seeking postdocs for specific projects. However, you may send a cover letter and CV to Dr. Zorrilla by e-mail or postal mail with a proposed training plan and research project. If interests and skills match, Dr. Zorrilla will help you develop a suitable fellowship proposal for extramural support.  Current and past lab members have historically competed successfully for NIH NRSA, K99, and R01 Minority Supplement funding mechanisms.

Competitive applicants will have a Ph.D. in neuroscience, pharmacology, biochemistry, experimental psychology, molecular biology or a related field. Proven productivity, strong writing and communication skills, and critical and creative thinking are essential. Substantial technical expertise in at least two of the listed disciplines above is strongly preferred. Please send a letter of research and career interests, CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Zorrilla. Candidates underrepresented in the field are especially encouraged to apply. The Scripps Research Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

Eric P. Zorrilla, Ph.D.
Mailcode SR-105B
The Scripps Research Institute
10550 N. Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla CA 92037, USA

Email: ezorrilla@scripps.edu
Phone: (858) 784-7416

Ph.D. Students

Candidates who are interested in doctoral studies in the laboratory via either the UCSD Neurosciences Graduate Program  or the TSRI Kellogg School of Science and Technology should contact Dr. Zorrilla by e-mail or at the above mailing address. Candidates underrepresented in the field are encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate Individual Research

Highly motivated and talented, upper-level undergraduates majoring in the biological, chemical and/or psychological sciences can conduct supervised research in the Zorrilla lab for course credit under the auspices of an approved course (e.g, UCSD NEU 199, UCSD BISP 199, UCSD PSYC 199, UCSD Faculty Mentor program, USD Independent Study, SDSU BIO 499, among others).  In addition to meeting all course prerequisites, candidates must have an overall GPA>3.0 and major GPA >3.3, and commit to a minimum of 2 consecutive quarters at >15 hours/week. Undergraduates that successfully complete their initial research experiences in the lab may consider undertaking an honors thesis as part of their university program (e.g., UCSD PSYC 194ABC , USD Honors ).

Additional specialized research opportunities in the lab also are available in affiliation with local universities. UCSD or USD students who are first-generation college students, income-eligible, and/or from underrepresented minorities may seek to conduct research in the lab as McNair Scholars.  Highly qualified underrepresented minority or disadvantaged UCSD undergraduates aspiring to graduate school in the biosciences also can pursue research in the Zorrilla lab as a 2-year, NIH-funded Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Scholar or Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Scholar. Finally, upper-division UCSD undergraduates that aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), but who have experienced educationally adverse situations or conditions may pursue 2-year research and career development programs as UC LEADS scholars.

Interested candidates should send an email to Dr. Zorrilla that includes 1) their resume/CV, 2) a summary of their relevant coursework and laboratory experience, 3) which aspects of the lab’s research most interest them, and 4) their goals for the research experience and post-graduation. Candidates underrepresented in the field are encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate Summer Research

In addition to summer research experiences for course credit (see “Undergraduate Individual Research”), several other unique summer research opportunities may be available for qualified individuals.  Candidates from any undergraduate institution may apply for a position in the Zorrilla lab as part of the TSRI or UCSD Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) programs. 

UCSD undergraduates can also seek partial financial or educational support for summer research and career development via the Calit2 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (Calit2), the Amgen Scholars Program, the California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) Science Program, the UCSD Undergraduate Research Scholarship, or via continuation as a McNair Scholar, MARC scholar, IMSD scholar, or member of the UCSD Summer Research Program. USD Summer Scholars may pursue continuing USD Honors, McNair Scholar or SURE Program research here as well.

Additional funding for undergraduate summer research might be obtained via NIH Research Grant Supplements, NIH Research Experience Programs, or NSF Summer Internships. Candidates interested in any of these opportunities should email Dr. Zorrilla with 1) their resume/CV, 2) a summary of their relevant coursework and laboratory experience, 3) which aspects of the lab’s research most interest them, and 4) their goals for the research experience and post-graduation. Candidates underrepresented in the field are encouraged to apply.

Research Technician

The laboratory is not currently actively seeking research technicians. We accept CVs/resumes at all times, however.  Please send a cover letter and CV/resume to Dr. Zorrilla by e-mail or postal mail. Candidates underrepresented in the field are especially encouraged to apply. The Scripps Research Institute is an equal opportunity employer.