Research Associate (Biggs Institute)

Job Summary:

We are looking for a talented data analyst who is willing to work with advanced big imaging data and machine learning tools. Your work environment will be the Neuroimage Analytics Laboratory (NAL) and the Biggs Institute Neuroimaging Core (BINC). We build advanced neuroimage analytical techniques as part of our work to investigate the origin and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Data-driven approaches are of special interest in our lab, as we use machine learning and machine intelligence to derive disease models that can complement and validate neurologists' and biologists' approaches. On a broader goal, our tools aim at delivering precise diagnostics on an individual's level and could ultimately guide treatment progress.

We are part of the Biggs Institute (https://biggsinstitute.org), which is being established as a flagship, free-standing institute within the University of Texas Health San Antonio (UTHSA), with the mission of establishing an interdisciplinary, integrated program to provide comprehensive clinical care and undertake innovative and important research into the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, including vascular contributions to dementia, Parkinson's disease, and frontotemporal dementia. It has strong institutional and community support and will benefit from existing resources within UTHSA, such as the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, the Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, the School of Nursing, the Cancer Center, and the Research Imaging Institute, along with the San Antonio campus of the UT Health Houston School of Public Health.

Job Duties:

• Implementing and testing advanced image processing pipelines tailored for the analysis of MRI and PET scans
• Applying these pipelines to large neuroimaging datasets from various clinical studies, including T1 and T2-weighted MRI, DTI, functional MRI, and PET scans
• Working in teams, within NAL, BINC, and Biggs and with national and international collaborators
• Maintaining lab servers' databases
• Helping with the visual quality control of the processed scans
• Taking part in the redaction of scientific publications by providing statistics and pipelines technical details
• Plans, designs and implements research experiments according to established protocols to assure high quality scientific results in support of project goals.
• Conducts experiments and studies and assesses outcome; adapts continued studies based on the organization of findings.
• Presents data in organized, readable formats including written reports and graphical summaries, account for relevant supplies and ordering them as needed and other activities related to each project.
• Conducts library and topical research pertinent to projects.
• Writes and prepares final papers to support findings; submits evidence for publication.
• Assures compliance with institutional policies, rules and regulations to meet federal, state and local standards and codes pertaining to safety and ethics.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in a specialized field of study is required.
Master's degree is preferred.

Experience:

Four (4) years of experience is required.

Additional Licenses and Certifications:

None.

Supervisory Requirements:

None