Assistant/Associate Project Scientist – Christodoulou Lab

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA’s Christodoulou Lab seeks an experienced researcher to join as Assistant or Associate Project Scientist. The role focuses on cardiovascular and abdominal MRI, emphasizing motion-resolved quantitative imaging and non-Cartesian acquisition.

The incumbent will lead development, validation, deployment, and stewardship of the lab's MRI pulse-sequence platform. The position requires a PhD and aims to advance acquisition methods, maintain a shared platform

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and translation of new MRI pulse sequences for cardiovascular and abdominal applications.
• Develop motion-resolved quantitative MRI methods using non-Cartesian acquisition.
• Maintain and test the shared pulse-sequence platform, including version control and compatibility.
• Establish QA procedures for pulse-sequence releases and vendor software upgrades.
• Coordinate phantom and human MRI experiments under approved protocols.
• Provide technical guidance to trainees and staff; no formal supervision.
• Contribute to manuscripts, grants, and progress reports.

Skills

MRI pulse sequences

Non-Cartesian imaging

Siemens IDEA

Git version control

Education

PhD

Tools

Siemens IDEA

Job description

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.

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.