University of California  Los Angeles

Assistant/Associate Project Scientist - Christodoulou Lab

Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a related field.
  • Experience developing MRI pulse sequences using Siemens IDEA.
  • Proficiency in C++, MATLAB, Python, and Git.
  • Prior experience conducting human MRI research with a relevant publication record.
  • Knowledge of MRI physics and quantitative imaging techniques.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and optimization of research MRI pulse sequences for cardiovascular and abdominal applications.
  • Develop motion-resolved quantitative MRI methods and collaborate on related projects.
  • Manage the laboratory's shared pulse-sequence platform, ensuring consistency and compatibility.
  • Establish testing and validation procedures for pulse-sequence releases.
  • Coordinate phantom and human MRI experiments per approved protocols, including scheduling and consent processes.
  • Provide technical guidance to staff and trainees on establishing MRI experiments.
  • Maintain technical resources and facilitate the use of pulse sequences in collaborative research.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a cutting-edge lab focused on advanced MRI methods.
  • Collaborative environment with access to shared research platforms.
  • Contributions to impactful scientific publications and presentations.
  • Professional development through mentorship and technical support.
  • Integration with a prestigious university known for its research excellence.
Full Job Description
Position description

The Department of Radiological Sciences at UCLA is seeking an experienced researcher to join the Christodoulou Lab as an Assistant or Associate Project Scientist. The position requires a PhD degree. The position will focus on cardiovascular and abdominal MRI, with emphasis on motion-resolved quantitative imaging and non-Cartesian acquisition. The incumbent will be expected to lead the development, validation, deployment, and ongoing stewardship of the laboratory's research MRI pulse-sequence platform. The incumbent will also make significant original and creative contributions to new acquisition methods, maintain a reliable, shared platform across research studies and collaborations, and coordinate human MRI experiments in accordance with approved protocols. This is intended as a 100% appointment, subject to final academic review, visa eligibility, programmatic need, and funding availability.

Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design, implementation, optimization, and translation of new research MRI pulse sequences using Siemens IDEA for cardiovascular and abdominal applications.
  • Develop motion-resolved quantitative MRI methods using non-Cartesian acquisition and collaborate on acquisition-reconstruction co-design.
  • Manage the laboratory's shared pulse-sequence platform, including Git-based version control, releases, scanner and software-version compatibility, deployment, and maintenance.
  • Establish and execute testing, validation, quality-assurance, and documentation procedures for pulse-sequence releases and vendor software upgrades.
  • Coordinate and conduct phantom and human research MRI experiments under approved protocols, including technical preparation, protocol implementation, scheduling, and occasional healthy-volunteer recruitment and consent when delegated under the applicable protocol.
  • Provide technical guidance, onboarding, and troubleshooting to trainees, staff, and collaborators as they establish MRI experiments; this role does not include formal supervision.
  • Maintain technical resources and support the transfer, deployment, and use of pulse sequences in collaborative studies.
  • Contribute to manuscripts, scientific presentations, grant applications, and progress reports.

About the Christodoulou Lab:
The Christodoulou Lab in the UCLA Department of Radiological Sciences develops advanced MRI acquisition and reconstruction methods for efficient, motion-resolved, quantitative imaging of the cardiovascular and abdominal systems. The laboratory integrates pulse-sequence design, non-Cartesian sampling, image reconstruction, and translational human studies, with an emphasis on free-breathing imaging and shared research platforms that enable collaborative development.

Applicants will also be invited to upload their current curriculum vitae and a list of 3-5 references to the UC Recruit online posting at JPF11336 . Only applicants that apply through this website will be considered.

This appointment is subject to amendment based on any changes to applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The posted UC salary scales Table 37B set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. The salary range for this position is $79,400 - $106,100.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications
PhD in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a closely related field.

Additional qualifications
  • Experience developing MRI pulse sequences using Siemens IDEA.
  • Experience developing non-Cartesian MRI pulse sequences.
  • Prior experience conducting human MRI research.
  • Proficiency in C++, MATLAB, Python, and Git.
  • Knowledge of MRI physics, pulse-sequence design, and quantitative imaging.
  • A peer-reviewed MRI-methods publication record demonstrating significant original and creative contributions.


Preferred qualifications
  • Experience in either cardiovascular or abdominal MRI; experience spanning both areas is preferred.
  • Experience with motion-resolved quantitative imaging and familiarity with MR Multitasking or related methods.
  • Working familiarity with advanced reconstruction approaches, including subspace reconstruction and compressed sensing, sufficient to support acquisition-reconstruction co-design and validation.
  • Experience maintaining shared pulse-sequence platforms, including validation, documentation, and release management.
  • Experience with Pulseq or MRI systems from other vendors.
  • Experience with Linux system administration.
  • Experience providing technical support to trainees and research collaborators.


Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
  • Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
  • UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

    The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

    Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
    Expand our reach as a global university
    Enhance our research and creative activities
    Elevate how we teach
    Become a more effective institution

    Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

    Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service
  • Statement of Research (Optional)


Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required

References may be contacted to verify experience.
Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11336

Help contact: [email protected]

Job location

Los Angeles, CA

About University of California Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California State Normal School. This school was absorbed with the official founding of UCLA as the Southern Branch of the University of California in 1919, making it the second-oldest of the 10-campus University of California system. UCLA offers 337 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, enrolling about 31,600 undergraduate and 14,300 graduate and professional students. UCLA received 174,914 undergraduate applications for Fall 2022, including transfers, making the school the most applied-to university in the United States. The university is organized into the College of Letters and Science and 12 professional schools. Six of the schools offer undergraduate degree programs: the School of the Arts and Architecture, Samueli School of Engineering, Herb Alpert School of Music, School of Nursing, Luskin School of Public Affairs and School of Theater, Film and Television. Three others are graduate-level professional health science schools: the David Geffen School of Medicine, School of Dentistry and Fielding School of Public Health. The School of Education & Information Studies, Anderson School of Management and School of Law round out the university.
Learn more about University of California Los Angeles

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