Technical Director - Preclinical Imaging Core

University of Kansas Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 103,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kansas Medical Center seeks a Technical Director for the Preclinical Imaging Shared Resource (PISR). You will lead scientific and technical operations, design advanced imaging studies, and supervise a multidisciplinary team including postdocs and technicians.

You will steer protocol development for MRI, micro-CT, optical, and photoacoustic imaging, and advance quantitative biomarkers while working with investigators across the Cancer Center and collaborators.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Imaging Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field.
• Three years of experience in preclinical biomedical imaging with multiple modalities.
• Experience designing, conducting, and analyzing preclinical imaging studies.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day scientific and technical operations of the PISR.
• Develop, validate, and maintain advanced preclinical imaging protocols.
• Supervise staff, train students and fellows, and ensure competency in instrument use.
• Oversee QA, maintenance, and SOPs for imaging systems.
• Lead high-field MRI development including 18.8 Tesla platform readiness.
• Assist investigators with project design, grant components, and publications.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Organization

Education

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or related field

Tools

Bruker MRI

ParaVision

MRI protocols

Image analysis

Job description

Department: SOM KC Cancer Biology ----- Bossmann Position Title: Technical Director - Preclinical Imaging Core Job Family Group: Professional Staff

The Technical Director will provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership for the Preclinical Imaging Shared Resource (PISR) within the University of Kansas Cancer Center and the Department of Cancer Biology. The Technical Director will oversee the daily operation of the PISR and its portfolio of advanced pre-clinical imaging technologies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), optical imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and quantitative image analysis. The Technical Director will report directly to the Director of the PISR and will supervise PISR scientific staff, including postdoctoral fellows, trainees, and other technical personnel as assigned. This position will work closely with investigators throughout the University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation, and collaborating institutions to design and execute sophisticated pre-clinical imaging studies and to develop innovative quantitative and multimodal imaging methodologies. The position combines scientific leadership, advanced imaging expertise, personnel supervision, instrumentation oversight, investigator consultation, training, quality assurance, and collaborative research. The Technical Director will play a central role in the continued development and expansion of the PISR, including implementation of next-generation ultra-high-field MRI and multimodal imaging technologies.

Job Description:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Scientific and Technical Leadership Direct the day-to-day scientific and technical operations of the PISR under the supervision of the PISR Director. Develop, optimize, validate, and maintain advanced preclinical imaging protocols. Provide expert consultation to investigators regarding selection of imaging modalities, experimental design, longitudinal study design, quantitative endpoints, and image analysis. Develop reproducible quantitative imaging workflows and imaging biomarkers. Promote integration of MRI, micro-CT, optical imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and other complementary imaging technologies. Evaluate emerging imaging technologies and recommend strategic implementation within the PISR.
• Personnel Supervision and Training Supervise PISR postdoctoral fellows and other scientific or technical personnel as assigned by the PISR Director. Coordinate day-to-day scientific activities and establish priorities for PISR staff. Train graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, faculty investigators, and other authorized users in imaging methodologies and appropriate instrument operation. Ensure that users demonstrate appropriate competency before independent instrument use where applicable. Foster a collaborative, rigorous, service-oriented environment within the Shared Resource.
• Instrumentation and Quality Assurance Oversee scientific operation, performance monitoring, and routine quality assurance of PISR imaging instrumentation. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for imaging systems and experimental workflows. Troubleshoot technical problems and coordinate with institutional personnel, manufacturers, and service engineers when necessary. Maintain documentation of instrument performance, maintenance, calibration, and quality-control procedures. Participate in planning for equipment upgrades, new instrumentation, software implementation, and facility expansion. Assist the PISR Director with strategic planning for future imaging capabilities.
• Ultra-High-Field MRI and Technology Development Lead technical implementation and validation of next-generation MRI capabilities, including the forthcoming 18.8 Tesla MRI platform. Develop and optimize high-field and ultra-high-field MRI protocols for preclinical applications. Establish reproducible workflows for quantitative and longitudinal MRI. Facilitate integration of MRI and NMR spectroscopy with optical imaging, micro-CT, photoacoustic imaging, and other complementary technologies. Support development of advanced image reconstruction, quantitative analysis, and AI-assisted imaging pipelines.
• Investigator and Collaborative Research Support Meet with investigators to define imaging objectives and develop technically rigorous experimental plans. Support interdisciplinary cancer research involving tumor biology, therapeutic response, immunotherapy, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, and related areas. Participate in collaborative NIH-, DoD-, NSF-, foundation-, and industry-funded research projects. Assist investigators in developing imaging components of grant applications, including experimental design, feasibility assessment, methodology, and resource descriptions. Contribute scientific expertise to manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, and other scholarly products arising from PISR-supported research. Participate in collaborative research leading to development of new imaging technologies and methodologies.
• Animal Imaging and Regulatory Compliance Oversee and participate in imaging studies involving murine and other approved preclinical disease models. Ensure appropriate procedures for animal preparation, anesthesia, physiological monitoring, recovery, and longitudinal imaging. Ensure that imaging activities are conducted in accordance with approved IACUC protocols, institutional biosafety requirements, and applicable University and Cancer Center policies. Maintain required institutional training and ensure that supervised personnel maintain appropriate training and compliance.
• Shared Resource Operations Assist the PISR Director in developing and implementing operational policies for the Shared Resource. Help coordinate instrument access, project prioritization, training, and efficient utilization of PISR resources. Monitor technical aspects of ongoing projects and identify potential operational or scientific barriers. Participate in preparation of Shared Resource reports, Cancer Center Support Grant documentation, instrumentation proposals, and other institutional reporting as requested by the PISR Director. Participate in PISR advisory activities and interactions with institutional leadership, collaborators, donors, and external stakeholders as appropriate. Represent the PISR at scientific meetings, institutional committees, seminars, and other professional activities when requested by the PISR Director.
• Other Responsibilities Maintain awareness of advances in preclinical imaging, image analysis, and related technologies. Participate in departmental seminars, Shared Resource meetings, and relevant Cancer Center activities. Perform other duties as assigned by the PISR Director. Conducts activities in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with KUMC Policies and applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. Performs job responsibilities in a safe and secure manner. Coordinate work with other University areas ensure integration and support of the University mission. Develops, maintains and expands job-specific knowledge and skills to keep pace with industry changes and supports the university's commitment to excellence and innovation. Participates in relevant committees, task force, or other similar activities. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Imaging Science, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, or a closely related discipline. This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Work Experience

• Three (3) years of experience in preclinical biomedical imaging and research that includes all of the following areas: Experience that requires expertise in preclinical biomedical imaging, with significant experience in at least one advanced imaging modality. Experience designing, conducting, and analyzing preclinical imaging studies. Experience that required the capability to operate and troubleshoot sophisticated biomedical imaging instrumentation. Experience working with small-animal models and familiarity with animal preparation, anesthesia, physiological monitoring, and longitudinal imaging studies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preclinical MRI experience, particularly high-field or ultra-high-field MRI
• Experience with Bruker MRI systems and ParaVision
• Experience with MRI pulse sequence development, optimization, and troubleshooting
• Experience with Quantitative MRI and development of imaging biomarkers
• Experience with Micro-CT
• Experience in Optical imaging
• Experience in Photoacoustic imaging
• Experience with PET or SPECT
• Experience with multimodal image registration and quantitative image analysis
• Experience with Artificial intelligence or machine learning for biomedical imaging
• Experience using Python, MATLAB, C++, or related scientific programming environments
• Experience with cancer biology, immunology, drug development, or neuroscience applications of imaging
• Experience in management or operation of a shared research resource or biomedical imaging facility
• Experience in the development of standard operating procedures, quality assurance programs, and reproducible imaging workflows
• Experience with Collaborative NIH-, DoD-, NSF-, or other federally funded research
• Experience with preparation of instrumentation or research grant applications

Skills

Communication Collaboration Leadership Organization

Required Documents

Resume Cover Letter

Additional Requirements

If selected as a final candidate for this position, you may be required to complete the Association of American of Universities Representations and Warranties document and sign a release of records that will allow the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct a further background check with former employers. A copy of the Representations and Warranties document can be found here.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type

Regular Time

Time Type

Full time

Rate Type

Salary

Compensation Statement

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range: $103,014.00 - $164,822.00 Minimum $103,014.00 Midpoint $133,920.00 Maximum $164,822.00

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Kansas Medical Center is to improve lives and communities in Kansas and beyond through innovation in education, research, and health care.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Kansas Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, protected veteran or disability status, marital status, parental status, or genetic information. http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination https://kumc-publicpoliciesandprocedures.policystat.com/policy/8446235/latest/

Disability Preference

Under Kansas state law, certain KUMC positions are subject to disability preference. For positions subject to this requirement, KUMC will offer an interview to a person who has applied for an open position who is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to meet the performance standards of the position and who has presented acceptable proof of disability. If the position you apply for is subject to the disability preference requirement, you will be asked to provide information in support of your request for disability preference when you complete the application for employment. https://civilrights.ku.edu/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf https://www.laborposters.org/federal/1606-federal-pay-transparency-poster.htm