Req #: 242143

Department: BIOENGINEERING

Posting Date: 12/24/2024

Closing Info: Closes On 01/07/2025

Salary: $7,466 - $13,694 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities, and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Department of Bioengineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 4 to join their team.

UW Bioengineering is a vibrant community driving advances in health care. As a joint department in the College of Engineering and School of Medicine, we bring together students, scientists, engineers, and clinicians to develop innovative and cost-effective health care solutions that improve lives. Our inclusive and collaborative culture empowers our students, faculty, and staff to make an impact through new fields of research and clinical products. Our award-winning faculty are national leaders in biomedical education, research, and technology transfer.

In UW Bioengineering, we are bound by a belief that public health and human dignity are inseparable. One is impossible without the other. Equity and inclusivity are fundamental to our mission of inventing the future of medicine.

The Research Scientist (Imaging Operations) will lead as the primary expert in managing and operating advanced ophthalmic imaging systems (e.g., OCT) and in exploring biomarkers from imaging data to improve the diagnosis of ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. This role includes operating and overseeing ophthalmic imaging devices for clinical studies based at the Eye Institute, Harborview Medical Center, as well as designing, executing, and mentoring research projects focused on ocular health.

The Research Scientist will independently address technical challenges, devise innovative solutions, and apply advanced principles and interdisciplinary methods to solve complex problems. This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator and requires a high degree of technical expertise, autonomy, and critical decision-making. The role is based on-site, involving significant hands-on training that is not suited to remote work. As the primary contact for imaging operations, the Research Scientist may need to return to the worksite outside of regular hours to manage emergencies, troubleshoot issues, and meet project deadlines in a time-sensitive environment, occasionally requiring extended hours.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Project Contribution (30%)

• Develops and executes data processing algorithms to obtain novel and established OCT biomarkers.

• Applies knowledge of ophthalmic imaging device specifics to contribute to the development of data processing algorithms for OCT devices.

• Leads projects involving the use of commercial OCT devices, particularly Carl Zeiss Plex Elite 9000 and Intalight Dream OCT device.Laboratory Operations (50%)

• Managing and operating ophthalmic OCT devices for patient studies, including patient recruitment, collaboration with clinicians both internal and external.

• Provides safety training for new lab members and directs projects involving ophthalmic OCT imaging devices.

• Managing IRB protocols related to clinical studies involving ophthalmic OCT imaging.

• Patient data management for streamlining the algorithm developments.Research Mentoring (10%)

• Directly mentors both undergraduate and graduate students on projects involving the use of ophthalmic OCT imaging devices.

• Develops project goals and research plans for undergraduate researchers and rotation students who are interested in ophthalmic imaging.

• Provides guidance and direction in the development, preparation, and editing of research manuscripts and scientific reviews.Grant Preparation and Management (10%)

• Develops new research objectives and scientific aims responsive to priorities of relevant funding agencies.

• Directs the collection of key preliminary datasets on short timelines to support proposal submission.

• Establishes and manages all service contracts to support projects.

• Identifies relevant funding opportunities and contributes to proposal preparation and submission. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in computing science or related field and four years of relevant experience, to include direct experience in operating Zeiss Plex Elite 9000 device and direct experience working directly with patients OR Equivalent combination of education/experience. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in operating Intalight Dream OCT device.

• Experience working in a team environment on projects that resulted in publications.

• Experience in segmentation software to process the volumetric OCT images captured from patients.

• Highly developed communication skills as demonstrated by teaching, scientific presentations, or outreach.

• Demonstration of logical problem solving to provide expedient solutions to laboratory problems.

• Ability to write and document clinical lab policies and procedures clearly.

• Ability to multi-task and complete multiple projects in a timely manner.

• Ability to train and mentor scientists with a range of backgrounds and levels of education. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A psychology degree or related field.

• Previous experience working with external clinical collaborators across multiple institutions/organizations and with teams of diverse expertise.

• Previous collaboration with industrial partners.

• Ability to work effectively with non-scientific support staff in academic settings.

• Experience working in a university clinical setting.

• Two years direct experience in operating Zeiss Plex Elite 9000 device.

• Two years direct experience working directly with patients. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.