The Department of Radiology at the University of California Davis, School of Medicine is recruiting for two full-time Project Scientist at the Assistant rank in PET/CT imaging.
The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. 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. 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 PET/CT imaging. Appointees with 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. Guobao Wang and 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 PET parametric imaging methods and applications. Topics include PET/CT data acquisition, image reconstruction, tracer kinetic modeling and data analysis, and consulting with physician scientists on PET imaging application research.
The appointee will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigators. 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 (15% Effort)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field of PET/CT parmetric imaging and applications and will 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.
QUALIFICATIONS (Basic qualifications are required at time of application)
Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering or Software Engineering or Biomedical Engineering
At least 2-3 years of experience in PET/CT imaging post terminal degree.
Research experience in dynamic PET imaging and dual-energy CT imaging
Evidence of academic accomplishment such as refereed journal papers and conference presentations
Specific qualifications for this role include:
Specialized knowledge and experience in PET systems and dynamic PET imaging
Direct experience with processing and analyzing total-body dynamic PET dataset
Rich experience in PET image reconstruction, including developing and using the kernel maximum-likelihood activity and attenuation method for reconstruction of time-of-flight PET data
Experience in tracer kinetic modeling (e.g., for 18F-FDG and 18F-fluciclovine)
Rich experience in development of new algorithms or performance evaluation for PET-enabled dual-energy CT imaging
Direct experience in developing machine learning-based methods (e.g., kernel methods or neural networks) for dynamic PET image reconstruction or estimation of blood input function
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in developing open-source codes and/or datasets
Good understanding of diseases (e.g., Cancer or Alzheimer’s disease or liver disease)
Experience in leading research collaboration
A reasonable estimate for this position is $68,400 -$87,000.
Completed applications will be reviewed on a regular basis, with the first review on May 26th, 2023, however, the position will remain open until filled or until the search end date. For the full position description and to apply, visit: [https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05628]
The Medical Center is located in Sacramento, in the heartland of California. Sacramento, ranked as the #1 place to live in California in 2023 by Forbes, is a vibrant, culturally diverse rapidly growing city. It offers year-round temperate weather and easy access to San Francisco, the California coast, Lake Tahoe, the Sierra mountain range and several wine regions including Napa and Sonoma. Sacramento is known for being America’s farm to fork capital with an outstanding restaurant scene and year-round farmers’ markets. Great neighborhoods with excellent schools can be found in Sacramento and the surrounding area.
