ASSOCIATE IN RESEARCH

The Associate in Research position at Duke University School of Medicine is a pivotal role within the Department of Surgery, specifically in the Cancer Initiation and Cell Behavior Lab. This lab is at the forefront of cancer research, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and single-cell RNA sequencing, including spatial transcriptomics, to explore cellular behaviors and cancer initiation processes. The successful candidate will be instrumental in developing state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms aimed at classifying individual cells from complex 100-channel confocal microscopy images. Each cell in these images expresses one of 41 different fluorescent proteins, and the role will involve employing deep learning transformer models to enhance the automated classification scheme. The lab has already achieved preliminary results using existing technology and in vitro images, but the goal is to leverage the expertise of the new associate to refine these models and extend their application to in vivo images. This work is significant as it will enable practitioners to expand their color palette for cellular lineage tracing, a critical aspect of biological research. In addition to imaging work, the Associate in Research will also contribute to the Snyder Lab by developing novel algorithms for the spatial analysis of RNA sequencing data, particularly applied to human breast carcinoma samples. This involves creating spatial statistics to analyze how cellular landscapes influence clinical outcomes, such as five-year survival rates. The position offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research that has the potential to significantly impact cancer treatment and understanding. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in image processing, machine learning, and software development, and will be expected to contribute to the publication of a software package for the image processing pipeline.