Post-Doctoral Research Associate (Neuroscience/Computational Neuroimaging)

Sacbar; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF's Medical Imaging Informatics & Artificial Intelligence (MedAI) team seeks a full-time Post-Doctoral Research Associate to drive computational neuroscience modules of the ATLAS consortium. You will work with a globally distributed team to develop prognostic models predicting individual disease tempo using multimodal data and advanced ML techniques.

You will lead data stewardship, publish methodological work, and contribute to international conferences, while training under an IDP and

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational biology, bioengineering, or closely related field.
• 2–5 years of relevant research experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex statistical analysis, machine learning/AI, project management, and scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Multi-Modal Data Integration with international team of biostatisticians and multi-omics postdocs.
• AI-Driven Pathology Imputation using MRI to infer cooccurring neurodegenerative pathologies.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Machine learning

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

PhD or equivalent doctorate

Tools

Bash

MATLAB

Python

R

Job description

The Medical Imaging Informatics & Artificial Intelligence (MedAI) team at UCSF isseeking a talented, highly motivated full-time Post-Doctoral Research Associate toactively drive the computational neuroscience modules of the ATLAS (Amyloid-to-TauLatency Assessment Score) Consortium. Funded by the prestigious Dementia FrontiersFund, this trans-Atlantic initiative brings together world-leading experts across the US,UK, and Spain to develop dynamic, time-to-event prognostic frameworks for Alzheimer’sDisease.

As a primary analytical driver on this team, you will apply advanced multi-modal,systems biology approaches to shift the field from static biomarker staging to predictingindividualized disease progression. You will leverage massive, harmonized globaldatasets – encompassing longitudinal fluid biomarkers (plasma, CSF), brain MRI (T1,FLAIR), PET, multi-omics, and neuropathology – to build machine learning-basedmodels that predict disease tempo at a single-case level.

Given the geographically distributed nature of this international consortium, this rolerequires exceptional independence, self-direction, and the ability to thrive in a remote,virtual collaborative environment.

Essential Functions:

• Multi-Modal Data Integration: Collaborate seamlessly with an international team of biostatisticians and multi-omics postdocs to integrate neuroimaging and latency models with systemic biological aging and high-dimensional proteomic networks.
• AI-Driven Pathology Imputation: Train and deploy advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) classifiers on structural MRI (T1-weighted and FLAIR) to non-invasively impute the presence of hidden, cooccurring neurodegenerative pathologies against autopsy-confirmed ground truth datasets.
• Scientific Dissemination: Serve as a lead/first author on critical methodological and clinical publications. Communicate complex findings clearly to domestic and international collaborators and present at major global conferences (e.g., AAIC, CTAD, ADPD).
• Patient & Public Integration: Participate in our Community-Scientist Partnership Group (CSPG) panels to learn how to ethically and empathetically translate complex computational prognostic predictions into patient-centered clinical tools.
• Data Stewardship: Maintain high levels of quality control across all complex, harmonized datasets and organize confidential project materials.

Job Requirements:

Minimum education: PhD or equivalent doctorate in neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational biology, bioengineering, or closely related field, awarded within the past three years.

Minimum experience: 2-5 years of relevant research experience in the field

Required skills: Demonstrated expertise in complex statistical analysis, machine learning/artificial intelligence, project management, and scientific research. Exceptional written and oral communication, organization, planning, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience analyzing Alzheimer’s Disease neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers, with a strong understanding of neurodegenerative disease pathophysiology.
• Proven experience in machine learning-based computational modeling (e.g., Bayesian inference, LASSO, deep learning architectures).
• High competence in handling, harmonizing, and analyzing large, complex datasets (e.g., ADNI, ADSP-PHC).
• Advanced coding proficiency in Bash, MATLAB, Python, and/or R.
• A strong, demonstrated publication record and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to quickly prioritize work assignments to meet grant deadlines.

Career Development & Mentorship

The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to work directly with a highly synergistic international team spanning computational neuroimaging, multi-omics, epidemiology, translational genomics.

The ATLAS Consortium is designed as a high-impact incubator for the next generation of dementia research leaders. You will be supported by a structured Individual Development Plan (IDP) reviewed quarterly, gain cross-disciplinary training at the intersection of computational neuroimaging and bioinformatics, and receive fully sponsored opportunities to present your findings on international stages. The postdoc will be trained in conducting and presenting research, building regular collaboration with leading biostatisticians and neuroscientists, publishing papers in application and methodology, and creating software for dissemination. Furthermore, the postdoc will be offered mentored opportunities to participate in grant writing as desired to foster their trajectory toward independent research leadership.

Working Conditions/Environment:

We offer a casual yet highly professional work environment where attention to detail andthe ability to meet deadlines are absolute requirements. The Post-Doctoral Associatemust be adaptable and comfortable working closely with a prolific, high-energy PrincipalInvestigator and a globally distributed team with complex scheduling needs. Allemployees are obligated to meet the highest ethical standards with respect to accuracy,conflicts of interest, intellectual property rights, data confidentiality, and respect forinformation sources and readers. Work involves sustained posture in a seated positionand prolonged use of a computer terminal.