Project Scientist – SCIFI Lab

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a full-time Project Scientist at the Assistant/Associate rank in the Spinal Cord Injury, Function, and Imaging (SCIFI) Lab.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency in advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for spinal pathologies. Appointees within the Project Scientist series may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, etc.), they are not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. The Project Scientist will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Allan R. Martin and will require the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1) RESEARCH (85% Effort)

Research activity (65%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of methods and applications. Topics include clinical research in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) as part of the UC Davis Spinal Cord Injury, Function, and Imaging (SCIFI) Lab. More specifically, the candidate will participate in a number of prospective research studies that include quantitative analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, including anatomical images (T1-weighted and T2-weighted) and microstructural MRI sequences such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetization transfer (MT), and T2*-weighted imaging. The broad objective of the position is to lead the SCIFI Lab’s efforts to evaluate the clinical utility of microstructural MRI and make progress toward its clinical translation.
Specific aims include;
1) Develop a clinically feasible workflow for multiparametric microstructural MRI that simplifies and fully automates the analysis using the Spinal Cord Toolbox
2) Develop a statistical analysis framework for microstructural MRI data that generates a multiparametric quantitative readout per patient, that includes appropriate normalization procedures and provides a single score of how healthy or injured the spinal cord is, which can be easily interpreted by clinicians (akin to the readout of a DEXA bone mineral density scan)
3) Conduct studies using the analysis pipeline developed in #1-2 to create multi-parametric models that accurately correlate with clinical severity, including microstructural MRI data and simple anatomical MRI data using morphometric analysis.

The appointee will help to determine additional research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Allan R. Martin. The Project Scientist will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the appointee may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The appointee collaborates with scientific colleagues in multi-disciplinary projects that include components falling within the appointee’s area of expertise.

Publication (15%)
The appointee will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (5%)
The appointee will assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The appointee will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

2) PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% Effort)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to the fields of Neurological Surgery and Neuroimaging. He/she may also serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

3) UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)
The appointee may undertake administrative tasks relevant to the smooth running of the laboratory enterprise as appropriate, including supervision of trainees and students. This will include leading laboratory meetings or other functions when the PI is unavailable.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant/associate rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant/associate rank, regardless of the proposed appointee’s qualifications.

* M.D or Ph.D., or equivalent degree in clinical medicine, MRI physics, or Engineering
* At least 3 years of experience in clinical research, clinical medicine (neurosurgery or other specialty) post terminal degree
* Research experience in neuroimaging and/or clinical neurosurgery
* Evidence of academic accomplishment such as refereed journal papers and conference presentations
* Clinical knowledge of DCM and SCI
* Technical skills in software programming (preferably Python)
* MRI image analysis (preferably the Spinal Cord Toolbox)
* Statistical analysis (preferably using R Studio)

* Complete all available tutorials on the Spinal Cord Toolbox
* Read related papers provided by the PI on DCM diagnosis, imaging, and management
* Complete CITI Good Clinical Practice certification

* MD or equivalent degree with clinical skills such as the ability to perform a comprehensive neurological exam
* Experience with human subjects
* Excellent written and oral communication skills

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “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

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, “Authorization to Release Information” into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

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 for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

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