Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics

Open Positions

Imaging Technical Director - Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute

The Biophotonics Imaging Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology seek to fill a full-time Imaging Technical Director. The purpose of this position is to manage the development and demonstration of an integrated multi-modality intraoperative imaging system with a robotic arm-assisted hand-held probe for use in surgical oncology procedures. This project and system will integrate real-time label-free optical coherence tomography and nonlinear optical imaging technologies into a single platform, with AI-guided image analysis and rapid feedback for fully point-of-procedure imaging, diagnostics, and surgical decision making. The Imaging Technical Director will work strategically with other optical imaging, AI, data integration, robotics, and human factors researchers, as well as multi-institutional clinical faculty in surgical oncology, pathology, and radiology to translate this novel imaging platform to clinical studies and trials, and eventually to commercialization. Experience in fast-paced, milestone-driven industry and start-up environments is preferred.

Job Summary
The Imaging Technical Director is responsible for the management and direction of the imaging system development team.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Lead the development of a novel integrated real-time label-free multi-modal intraoperative imaging platform, including both hardware and software, for applications in surgical oncology of breast, lung, and hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers.
• Manage the development and direct the design of fiber-optic-based beam delivery systems for multimodal imaging with hand-held probes, rigid laparoscopes, and flexible endoscopes.
• Oversee and collaborate with teams developing real-time AI algorithms, data infrastructure management, surgical robotics, and human factors.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative validation using the platform system on pre-clinical animal models and human tissue specimens using established procedures and independent judgment to determine probable causes for low- and high-quality images.
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams and leadership at multiple institutions to demonstrate the operation and performance of the system platform in human clinical studies and registered clinical trials.
• Build relationships and work closely with start-up and corporate industry partners responsible for seeking FDA regulatory and reimbursement code approvals as the technology advances toward commercialization.
• Direct established quality assurance procedures (quality control testing, instrument function checks and calibrations), maintain appropriate documentation, and report irregularities to the project team.
• Assess accuracy and validity of obtained test results by applying knowledge of relevant scientific principles, recognize changes that are critical to research studies, and identify probable causes for irregular and atypical findings.
• Maintain records and regularly report out tests, examinations, and final results for all record functions and inquiries related to the imaging system and for imaging human tissue specimens or human research participants.
• Assist in instructing students, post-docs, and research scientists in the principles and advanced techniques of imaging science and technology.
• Continue to develop professionally (e.g., attend and present at conferences, publish research results, keep up on latest advances in the field).
Minimum Qualifications
• PhD degree in engineering or the physical sciences
• 5+ years of research experience in optical biomedical imaging or biophotonics, specifically in nonlinear optical imaging and/or optical coherence tomography
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience leading and managing project teams in fast-paced milestone-driven start-up or industry settings
• Experience working with pre-clinical animal models, human tissue specimens, and human participants in a clinical setting
• Experience working on and with interdisciplinary teams
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. Salary is commensurate with skills and experience with a previously determined minimum salary of $100,000. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 30, 2024. To apply, please create your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload your cover letter, CV, and names/contact information for three references as a single PDF file by June 30, 2024 using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Thurman Etchison at tetchis2@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment
mandates. Please visit
Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1025026 Job Category: Administrative Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

 

Project Integrator - Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute

The Biophotonics Imaging Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have jointly launched a research project to develop and demonstrate an integrated multi-modality intraoperative imaging system with a robotic arm-assisted hand-held probe for use in surgical oncology procedures. This project and system will integrate real-time label-free optical coherence tomography and nonlinear optical imaging technologies into a single platform, with AI-guided image analysis and rapid feedback for fully point-of-procedure imaging, diagnostics, and surgical decision making. The project now seeks to fill the position of Project Integrator.

Job Summary
The Project Integrator will coordinate, schedule, and manage all aspects and day-to-day details of research project. The teams under this management include the following: AI, data integration, robotics, and human factors researchers, as well as multi-institutional clinical faculty in surgical oncology, pathology, and radiology to translate this novel imaging platform to clinical studies and trials, and eventually to commercialization.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Start up and Project Management Identify positions and candidates to be hired for each of the research project teams, including sitting on search committees for each position. Serve as the primary connector between the funder and University, including regular and adhoc meetings, as well as at least semi-annual travel to meet with the team. Coordinate, cultivate, and engage collaborative research teams. Manage day-to-day tasks for the overall research project with close attention to detail and timelines. Keep abreast of research, both individual faculty work and major initiatives across funding agencies, to make connections with funding opportunities and appropriate internal and external stakeholders. May serve as a Principal Investigator on grant proposals and lead awarded grant efforts.
• Team and Center Management Initiate, coordinate and facilitate organizational, financial, programming, and physical planning for research project. Oversee staff with attention to their professional development and collaboration with one another as well as with funders, campus and all external stakeholders. Initiate, review, and evaluate programs and operations that commit resources; establish policies relating to utilization of resources and reporting mechanisms. Oversee the management and determination of resources and staff functions; set operating policies. Work alongside the business office to manage the budget and ensure compliance with university regulations relative to procurement; oversee the annual budget reporting. Analyze ongoing and completed work to improve efficiencies and assess impact; formulate and recommend changes to program workflows.
• Collaboration Promotion Keep abreast of industry changes and adapt the project as needed. Collaborate with all external stakeholders to keep them apprised of the project status and updates. Seek other funding opportunities that closely align with this project and/or team strengths to secure future funding.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in science or engineering
• 5+ years of project management experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Experience working on and with interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience in fast-paced environment.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. Salary is commensurate with skills and experience with a previously determined minimum salary of $70,000. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 30, 2024. To apply, please create your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload your cover letter, CV, and names/contact information for three references as a single PDF file by June 30, 2024 using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Thurman Etchison at tetchis2@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1024858 Job Category: Research Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu 

Postdoctoral Research Opportunities

 

Junior Faculty Opening

The Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an opening for a junior faculty position (tenure-track) in the areas of biophotonics and computational optics.  Applicants would apply to the Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, or another related department in our Grainger College of Engineering.  For inquiries, please contact Dr. Stephen Boppart.