Assistant/Associate Project Scientist - Christodoulou Lab

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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

References may be contacted to verify experience.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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 or federal law.

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.

• "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.
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