We are seeking skilled and enthusiastic candidates for Postdoctoral Fellow positions in the Biomedical Imaging and Radiation Technology Laboratory (BIRTLab). Our mission is to innovate, develop, and apply cutting-edge biomedical technology to empower cancer research. Successful candidates will join our team to contribute to one of the following projects: a) Developing a single pixel optical imaging for 3D in vivo cell tracking, or b) advancing bioluminescence tomography for brain metastases detection in lung cancer research.   

Specifically, the project a) focuses on developing a single-pixel imaging system to address the limitations of conventional imaging techniques in detecting low-level optical signals emitted from luminescent cells in vivo. The primary goal is to achieve 3D in vivo cell tracking, which will enable a deeper understanding of cancer cell migration patterns and immune cell responses to therapeutic interventions. This project will significantly contribute to the development of effective cancer therapies.

The project b) aims to advance 3D bioluminescence tomography (BLT) as an image-guided system to enable high-precision detection of brain metastases in lung cancer animal models. The development of orthotopic spontaneous brain metastases animal models combined with the BLT-guided system is highly significant and complementary as a research tool. This integrated platform faithfully recapitulates brain metastases observed in patients, facilitating high precision pre-clinical investigations that closely reflect clinical scenarios. This is particularly important as the population of brain metastases patients is increasing, highlighting the need to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective therapies.

Both project involves developing machine learning-based image reconstruction algorithm, advancing optical system, and conducting related biological experiments. These projects are multi-disciplinary, integrating algorithm development, optics, engineering, physics, biology, and industrial components. Candidate do NOT need to have expertise in both software and hardware development to apply.

BIRTLab provides an exceptional environment for candidates to grow and achieve successful careers:

• Lab director Dr. Wang works tirelessly with candidates to ensure they meet their career goals. Through attentive guidance, he encourages members to think creatively and develop their own research projects. All activities are supported by extramural funding through the NIH and Texas CPRIT.
• Successful members are also eligible for basic clinical medical physics training and a tuition fee waiver to enroll in a certificate program with CAMPEP-accredited courses, which covers medical physics didactic elements for people who enter the medical physics profession through an alternative pathway. This opportunity allows members working toward board-certified medical physicist in radiation oncology sector, ultimately contributing to patient care.

The multi-disciplinary projects, strong research environment, and the medical physics pathway together offer a unique opportunity to prepare the candidate for careers in academia, industry, or as professional medical physicist in the U.S.

Candidates with established experience in computational imaging, machine learning algorithms, analytical calculations, tissue optics and optical system design are desired. Applicants holding a Ph.D in physics, optics, mathematics, or engineering are encouraged to apply.

Compensation are based on candidates’ experience and NIH scale with competitive benefits. Interested candidates should send a statement of interest, CV, and the contact information for 3 references to:

Ken Kang-Hsin Wang, Ph.D., DABR

Associate Professor

CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research

Division of Medical Physics and Engineering

Department of Radiation Oncology

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Kang-Hsin.Wang@utsouthwestern.edu

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community.  As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.   To learn more, please visit:  https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/why-work-here/diversity-inclusion. 

About UT Southwestern Medical Center, BIRTLab

UT Southwestern is a leading academic medical center—world-renowned for its research, regarded among the best in the country for medical education and for clinical and scientific training, and nationally recognized for the quality of clinical care that its faculty provides to patients at UT Southwestern University Hospitals and clinics and affiliated institutions. With six Nobel Laureates and 22 members of the National Academy of Sciences currently on faculty, UT Southwestern is among the top biomedical research institutions in the nation and consistently ranks the No. 1 academic medical center in the world for publishing high-quality scientific research, according to Nature Index. The Department of Radiation Oncology is a leader in the development and clinical implementation of innovative treatment strategies. Research projects in the Division of Medical Physics and Engineering, funded by various federal and state agencies including 10 active NIH R01 grants, ranging from small-animal irradiation, PET instrumentation, medical imaging, image-guided therapy, heavy ion therapy, and automatic treatment planning to artificial intelligence. We currently provide care to over 200 patients ...per day with state-of-the-art machines and techniques. The clinical practice is currently in 3 buildings on the same campus. Our equipment includes 10 Varian and Elekta Linacs, one Elekta Gamma Knife Icon, 1 Accuray CyberKnife M6, 1 Varian VariSource iX HDR system, 1 superficial unit, 2 Philips big-bore 4-D CT simulators, 1 Brainlab Mobius mobile CT scanner, Varian Eclipse, 2 Varian Halcyons, 2 Varian Ethos, and 2 Elekta Unity systems along with a Phillips MR-simulator. A shielded OR is equipped with an additional Varian VariSource iX afterloader to perform intra-operative HDR procedures. We also perform a spectrum of cranial and pelvic LDR and nuclear medicine procedures. A dedicated breast SBRT device, GammaPod, is also in clinical service.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at UT Southwestern Medical Center, BIRTLab