POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Postdoctoral Associate Physiologic Pulmonary Imaging: Salary commensurate. A doctoral degree is required. Two positions are open. Applicants should have a strong background in quantitative medical imaging and: 1) image processing of the cardiopulmonary system or 2) a strong epidemiological background allowing them to utilize the output of quantitative imaging methods for the evaluation of lung disease. Challenging projects relate to the over-all goal of using multi-spectral dual energy CT and hyperpolarized xenon MR imaging for a comprehensive evaluation of lung structure and function. The candidate will participate in an integrated set of projects aimed at developing a model of the normal human lung against which individuals can be compared to identify and evaluate early pathologic processes. Challenging aspects include image segmentation of the lung, lobes, airways, and vascular tree; extending our tissue characterization software to include 3D anatomic features as well as features representing regional function; developing and testing methods for regional blood flow and ventilation; and utilizing output of quantitative image analysis methods together with subject demographic data to identify novel disease phenotypes. The candidates will work within a highly multi-disciplinary team of physicians, physiologists, electrical and biomedical engineers and computer scientists and have available dedicated state-of-the-art computing and imaging facilities. A specific project involves the use of imaging to follow the changes in lung structure and function through a smoking cessation program. There are two positions available: one with a stronger engineering development focus and a second with a stronger focus on the use of the imaging and associated subject demographics to establish disease phenotypes. Send resume to: Eric Hoffman, Ph.D., Radiology, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242 319/356-1381.

• Identify and define problems, solutions to which can be approached through a scientific research process. Specific examples include the measurement of perfused blood volume heterogeneity defined by dual energy computed tomography, harmonization of the signal across scanners, and the correlation of regional signals with associated other metrics including presence of inflammation, small airways disease and more.
• Design and execute experiments
• Work independently on basic research tasks with oversight by Faculty or Principal Investigator (PI).
• Contribute to documentation of equipment and procedures.

• Collect and perform statistical data analysis. Evaluate data to establish relevance to the problem or problems being investigated.
• Perform basic data analysis techniques.
• Compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work.

• Prepare research results for publication in reports, papers, journals, books, grants and other media.
• Present results in in departmental seminars and professional meetings.

A Ph.D. in an engineering or science field such as Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, Epidemiology or Physiology.

Required Qualifications

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Graduate research experience in Image Processing and Signal Processing or the use of Image Processing Output to assess disease phenotypes and epidemiological relationships.
3. Proficiency in a statistical analysis environment such as R, MATLAB, SPSS or SAS.
4. Demonstrated strong analytical and data analysis skills.

Desired Qualifications

1. Knowledge of pulmonary function testing, lung pathophysiology and epidemiology of lung disease.
2. Development experience in medical image analysis of different imaging modalities (CT, MRI).

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