Research Associate STS

Description

Date: January 2025

Title: Research Associate I - Specialized Technical Skills (RA-STS)

Department: Biomedical Engineering

School: Medicine

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Supervisor Name and Title: Satish Viswanath, Associate Professor

 

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Research Associate I-Specialized Technical Skills (RA-STS) will help develop, optimize, and execute high quality research processes and lead large scale data analysis in computational imaging and artificial intelligence for collaborative projects. The RA-STS is expected to work independently, design and plan projects, oversee collaborations, supervise students and interns, and carry out research activities of assigned projects to completion. The RA-STS will keep the team and principal investigator (PI) informed of research project progress and provide recommendations on experimental design and conduct. The RA-STS responsibilities include analysis of large radiographic imaging or digital pathology datasets, managing complex databases, conducting advanced data analytics, mapping and generating result summaries and methodologic documentation appropriate for the project, testing and developing novel computational approaches as required by various research goals particularly in the field of medical imaging AI research, and contributing to dissemination efforts.  Dissemination may involve presenting data and findings at lab and scientific meetings/conferences, seminars, etc., prepare manuscripts, and contribute preliminary data analysis and summarization for grant proposals. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.       In consultation with the investigator(s) and collaborators, design research projects, including corresponding hypotheses and analytical processes: design, conduct, manage, and analyze the components of projects and experiments with a high degree of independence. Provide interpretation of various statistical analyses and results, develop predictions, and make recommendations on overall study design.  (40%)

2.       Oversee data analytics and statistical analysis for various ongoing and future research projects; provide input and recommendation to the PI regarding developments. Determine, lead, and perform the appropriate computational analyses for research projects and help design and execute the ongoing and future analysis pipelines. May perform required programming and analysis for multiple research studies, as assigned. (15%)

3.       Prepare result summaries. Generate reports including the results and documentation of the analyses. Apply appropriate statistical methods and collaborate with the team to ensure statistical rigor of results. (10%)

4.       Develop and implement tools and workflows to process, analyze and integrate different high throughput imaging data. Assist the PI and independently develop new techniques and protocols for the research. (10%)

5.       Maintain pipeline. Keep track of current methods for large, complex datasets and update pipelines as necessary with tracking processes and software. Monitor assigned datasets and databases, including statistical analyses, versions, methods, and results. Understand and maintain current knowledge of related databases and analysis tools.  (10%)

6.       Design, code, test, debug, modify and document complex systems necessary for knowledge and maintenance of databases, processes, and scripts. (5%)

7.       Provide supervision, technical guidance and training of staff and students in applying methodological and statistical approaches. Supervise lab members in the design, writing, debugging, testing, and documenting statistical programs using standard statistical software packages, including SAS, R, and spatial analysis software.  May directly supervise research assistants and technicians. (5%)

8.       Provide data visualization for academic publication, research presentations, and other forms of dissemination. Present data and findings at laboratory meetings and scientific meetings/conferences, seminars, etc. Prepare manuscripts and contribute data analysis and interpretation for grant proposals. Independently author research projects. (5%)

     

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned.

 

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent interactions with the PI to provide progress updates and status of ongoing projects and summary of completed tasks. Regular interactions with members of the department to help with data analysis support. Contact with administrative staff, as needed

University: Regular contact with collaborators in other university departments and centers. Occasional contact with the CWRU [U]Tech for computing support. Occasional contact with Research Administration, IRB, and Sponsored Projects Accounting, as needed.

External: Regular contact with collaborative researchers outside of CWRU to discuss and review experimental results.

Student: Occasional interactions with undergraduate/graduate students and interns working in the lab or in the lab of collaborators.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May provide direct supervision, technical guidance, and training of staff.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Minimum of 1-5 years of related experience required. Prefer experience in a university, nonprofit research organization, or similar setting. 

Education: Master’s degree with equivalent specialized technical skills in Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence. PhD preferred. If degree is in Biology, demonstrated strong computational skills through relevant experience will be required.  If degree is in Computational Sciences, demonstrated understanding of basic biology is required. 

 

REQUIRED SKILLS

1.       High-level proficiency in the use of various software packages, including Python, MATLAB, etc.

2.       Mastery of computational imaging data formats (eg. MHA, NIFTI).

3.       Experience with public databases (e.g. TCGA, TCIA, IDC).  Familiarity with APIs, database querying, and data management. 

4.       Experience with computational imaging software packages (eg. ITK Snap, 3D Slicer, PyTorch, PyRadiomics,) and ability to adapt and implement new software, as necessary.

5.       Skills in quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA) in laboratory and multi- and inter-disciplinary programs.

6.       Demonstrated skills in analytics, integration, and visualization.

7.       Knowledge in biostatistics.

8.       Demonstrated expertise working with highly complex data, performing complex analytic tasks, and formulating findings and recommendations from the analyses.

9.       Effective leadership skills: ability to lead, train, collaborate with, and elicit cooperation from team members and staff. 

10.   Ability to work effectively independently and within a team.  Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable, and a self-starter.

11.   Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate innovation and creativity, sound judgment, and good decision-making. 

12.   Excellent analytical skills: ability to formulate findings and recommendations from analyses. Strong programming, algorithm, and computational abilities and interest.

13.   Strong organization skills: ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet benchmarks and deadlines.  Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through. Must be able to work under pressure and conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timeline.   

14.   Ability to work independently with direct but limited guidance.

15.   Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills; must demonstrate the ability to effectively and professionally communicate and work with various individuals within and external to the University.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The RA-STS will work in a general laboratory and office environment. Work requires negligible physical exertion, and little or no exposure to hazards.

 

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 1-5 years of related experience required. Prefer experience in a university, nonprofit research organization, or similar setting. 

Education: Master’s degree with equivalent specialized technical skills in Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence. PhD preferred. If degree is in Biology, demonstrated strong computational skills through relevant experience will be required.  If degree is in Computational Sciences, demonstrated understanding of basic biology is required. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Case Western Reserve University strives to maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment. All applicants are protected under Federal law from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age and genetics.

Case Western Reserve provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at equity@case.edu. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.