Postdoctoral Scientist - Center for Autonomous Robotic Surgery

Cedars-Sinai; West Hollywood (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedars-Sinai in West Hollywood invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scientist to advance autonomous robotic surgery research. You will conduct data analytics and develop supervised and unsupervised machine-learning models that support automation of robotic tasks, integrating AI tools within functional robotic systems.

The role requires independent work under the PI and collaboration with research staff, with opportunities to contribute to grant proposals and publications.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a field related to the research.
• Experience conducting data analytics and ML model development.
• Strong publication record and independent research capability.

Responsibilities

• Assist in grant proposal preparation and potential publications.
• Design and perform experiments; maintain records.
• Analyze and interpret data; summarize results.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment.

Skills

Independent work

Publications

Data analysis

Experiment design

Lab instrumentation

Education

Doctorate (MD, PhD, VMD, or DDS)

Job description

Job Description

Join us as we translate today's discoveries into tomorrow's medicine!

The Center for Autonomous Robotic Surgery is looking for a postdoctoral scientist to join their team.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research? Dr. Andrew J. Hung is a recognized leader in the development of surgeon-training and performance-assessment tools. Over the past decade, he has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and secured prestigious grants from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and the National Cancer Institute. In collaboration with Caltech co‑principal investigator Anima Anandkumar, Dr. Hung developed an automated computer-vision pipeline for assessing technical proficiency in robot-assisted surgery. This work has been published in JAMA Surgery and Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Under Dr. Hung's leadership, the successful candidate will play a key role in advancing the proposed research. Responsibilities will include conducting data analytics and developing supervised and unsupervised machine‑learning models that support the automation of robotic surgical tasks. The position will also draw upon expertise in computer science and mechanical engineering to integrate and deploy artificial‑intelligence tools within functional robotic systems.

In this role, the Postdoctoral Scientist will be expected to work independently under the direction of the PI and in close cooperation, as well as consultation, with other research staff. As a Postdoctoral Scientist, perform routine and complex laboratory procedures throughout the training period and may develop, adapt, and implement new research techniques and protocols.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• May assist in the preparation of grant proposals, but is not responsible for generating grant funds.
• May participate in publications and presentations as author or co‑author.
• Designs and performs experiments. Will keep appropriate experimental records and documentation and analyze the results with the P.I.
• Analyzes, interprets, summarizes and compiles data.
• Operates and maintains equipment and instruments.

Qualifications

Education

• Doctorate (MD, PhD, VMD, or DDS) in area directly related to field of research specialization required.

Experience and Skills

• Highly motivated and works independently on research projects designed by a mentor (typically the PI) within the area of specialization.
• Acquires thorough technical and theoretical knowledge of research project and objectives during one to five (1-5) year post‑doctoral appointment.
• Highly motivated with a proven track of record of publications.
• Demonstrated aptitude to perform experimental protocols and procedures, including detailed data collection, and analysis, and operation and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Knowledge of safety standards and maintenance of specialized equipment.