Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Organization

As an independent research organization the Morgridge Institute for Research explores uncharted scientific territory to discover tomorrows affiliation with the University of Wisconsin-Madison we support researchers who take a fearless approach to advancing human health in emerging fields such as regenerative biology metabolism virology and medical engineering. Through public programming we work to inspire scientific curiosity in everyday life.

The Opportunity

This position will develop and apply advanced optical imaging methods for deep-tissue imaging including coherent nonlinear optical holography. The postdoctoral research associate will design and construct optical instrumentation develop data-acquisition and computational-reconstruction methods conduct imaging experiments and apply these technologies to biomedical research questions.

Duties Include:

Design construct and evaluate advanced optical imaging systems for coherent nonlinear microscopy and deep-tissue imaging.

Plan and conduct experiments that characterize system performance and demonstrate biomedical imaging applications.

Design assemble align characterize troubleshoot and maintain optical imaging systems incorporating ultrafast lasers nonlinear optical components scanning or widefield illumination detectors and data-acquisition hardware.

Design assemble align characterize troubleshoot and maintain optical imaging systems incorporating ultrafast lasers nonlinear optical components scanning or widefield illumination detectors and data-acquisition hardware.

Develop and maintain software for instrument control data acquisition image reconstruction calibration visualization and quantitative analysis.

Develop calibration procedures performance benchmarks quality-control methods and reproducible experimental protocols for new imaging systems.

Maintain organized experimental records source code instrument documentation calibration data and analysis workflows consistent with laboratory data-management practices.

Analyze imaging and spectroscopy data using statistical computational and image-reconstruction methods; quantify system performance; evaluate uncertainty and reproducibility; and interpret results in collaboration with biomedical researchers.

Contribute to the preparation of research manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Collaborate with biologists biomedical scientists and other investigators to define imaging requirements prepare appropriate specimens design validation experiments and interpret biological findings.

Provide technical guidance and research mentorship to graduate students undergraduate researchers interns and other junior laboratory members as assigned; this responsibility does not necessarily include formal personnel supervision.

Attend scientific seminars conferences and journal clubs to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field and contribute to scientific discussions.

Lead and contribute to the preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts conference abstracts presentations technical reports and other scholarly products.

Present research findings at laboratory meetings and national and international scientific conferences.

Contribute scientific results figures methods and progress summaries to grant applications and reports to funding agencies.

Perform other duties consistent with the position and research program as assigned.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be considered and may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities.

Required Education and Experience:

• A Ph.D. in physics applied physics optical science chemistry physical chemistry electrical engineering biomedical engineering mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with ultrafast lasers nonlinear optics optical microscopy spectroscopy or closely related instrumentation.
• Experience designing aligning characterizing and troubleshooting experimental optical systems.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and quantitative data analysis using tools such as Python MATLAB C/C LabVIEW or comparable environments.
• Evidence of research productivity appropriate to career stage.
• Strong hands-on laboratory experience with one or more of the following: ultrafast laser systems nonlinear optics optical microscopy holography or optical spectroscopy.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience with coherent nonlinear optical microscopy or holography.
• Experience with widefield nonlinear imaging nonlinear holographic imaging or computational microscopy.
• Experience with Raman or coherent Raman spectroscopy.
• Experience with image reconstruction inverse problems phase retrieval holographic reconstruction or computational imaging.
• Experience developing instrument-control or data-acquisition software.
• Experience imaging cells tissues or other biological specimens.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required:

• Proficiency in advanced data analysis methods including relevant software and programming languages.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal for preparing manuscripts presentations and reports.
• Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams and effectively communicate complex scientific concepts.
• Evidence of research productivity appropriate to the applicants career stage such as peer-reviewed publications preprints conference presentations open-source software instrumentation datasets or other significant research contributions.
• Demonstrated ability to identify technical problems develop and evaluate solutions manage research priorities and advance projects with an appropriate level of independence.
• Strong organizational skills attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Work is primarily performed in laboratory and office environments.
• The position involves extended periods of work at optical tables laboratory benches and computer workstations. Responsibilities may include aligning optical components manipulating laboratory equipment preparing specimens for imaging operating data-acquisition systems and writing software and scientific documents. The employee must be able to perform these activities with or without reasonable accommodation.
• The position involves work with high-power and ultrafast laser systems optical-cleaning solvents laboratory reagents and biological specimens. The employee must complete all required laser-safety chemical-safety biosafety and laboratory training and follow applicable engineering controls standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment requirements.