Research Assistant

The research group led by Dr. Ali Uneri at the Carnegie Center for Surgical Innovation, part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant. The Carnegie Center for Surgical Innovation is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to advancing medical imaging and image-guided interventions. The facility comprises operating room laboratories with various modalities of imaging systems, surgical robots, 3D printers, cadaver storage, and surgical instruments that provide a preclinical proving ground for technology in development and translation to first clinical studies.

This position will support ongoing research in the area of image-guided interventions and surgical robotics. The Research Assistant will work under the general supervision of the principal investigator, managing day-to-day tasks related to data collection and analysis for various research studies. Responsibilities include writing, running, and analyzing both standard and non-standard reports while collaborating closely with investigators and research partners. Training will be provided in areas where the candidate lacks specific expertise. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s educational background and experience.

Primary duties will involve conducting scientific studies, including x-ray imaging and the pre-processing and analysis of imaging data, as well as assisting with experiments emulating surgical procedures. Additional responsibilities include managing large datasets, maintaining laboratory inventory and records, and contributing to independent research aligned with the lab’s focus. This role offers opportunities for authorship in scientific publications and participation in academic conferences.

Our team fosters a creative and collaborative environment where researchers are encouraged to bring their ideas to life and gain expertise in imaging technology development. The lab benefits from strong collaborations with world-class radiology and biomedical engineering teams at Johns Hopkins University and beyond.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day data collection for research activities.
• Assist the research team with imaging experiments on x-ray fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT systems.
• Perform image processing and analysis under the guidance of senior researchers.
• Organize and manage large datasets and train machine learning algorithms on high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.
• Write, run, and analyze standard and non-standard reports.
• Maintain and organize both physical and digital research records and files.
• Contribute to the drafting of scientific papers and conference presentations.
• Conduct literature reviews and searches to support ongoing research initiatives.
• Participate in weekly lab meetings and other meetings as necessary.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to reliably and reproducibly carry out experimental protocols.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Effective collaboration skills within a team-oriented environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills.
• Research experience in image-guided interventions and/or surgical robotics.
• Familiarity with statistical concepts relevant to analyzing experimental data from imaging studies.

• Bachelor's Degree in related discipline.
• Additional related experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
  

• Basic knowledge of medical imaging principles.
  
• Foundational understanding of machine learning or deep learning concepts.
• Proficiency in scientific programming, specifically in Python.

Classified Title: Research Assistant 
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/03/CD  
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F/8:30-5 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Biomedical Engineering - Research  
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering