How to Apply 

The San Diego KUH SPARK U2C/TL1 Program is now accepting applications for the next recruitment cycle. In this round, we anticipate appointing up to two postdoctoral scholars and three predoctoral trainees. Selected candidates will be appointed Summer 2026.

We welcome applications from trainees currently appointed at UC San Diego, San Diego State University, or Scripps Research who are pursuing research in kidney, urology, or hematology (KUH). As the program continues to expand, we especially encourage applications from trainees working in urology or urology-related research areas to strengthen representation across the KUH research spectrum.

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026

Review: Applications will be reviewed by the program’s Executive Committee. Selected candidates will be invited to interview with program leadership.

Term: Appointments are for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second-year contingent upon satisfactory progress and continued alignment with program goals.

To apply, please submit the following materials by email to Erick Castro, Program Manager (eocastro@health.ucsd.edu):

• A one-page personal statement describing your background, research interests, and how your work aligns with KUH priorities
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• A one-page NIH-style Specific Aims page describing the background, goals, and anticipated deliverables of the proposed research project
• A one-page letter from the proposed mentor (if identified or if already in a participating lab) describing the applicant’s strengths, the relevance of the research to KUH priorities, the proposed scope of the project, the scholar’s role within it, and the mentor’s commitment to the trainee’s development
• If not yet in a participating lab: two letters of recommendation
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required
• Please include “U2C Application – [Your Last Name]” in the subject line of your email

 Institutional Contacts

• UCSD – Dr. Joachim Ix (joix@health.ucsd.edu)
• SDSU – Dr. Connie Weaver (cmweaver@sdsu.edu)
• Scripps Research – Dr. R. Luke Wiseman (wiseman@scripps.edu)

Selection Criteria

• Academic achievement
• Quality and relevance of research plan
• Fit with KUH focus areas
• Mentor/referee assessments
• Motivation for academic research career
• Communication skills

Non Discrimination Statement

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of
California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.