Research Associate

Johns Hopkins University•Baltimore, MD

11h

About The Position

The Laboratory Manager oversees daily operations and supports strategic initiatives within the Image Response Assessment Team (IRAT) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This role combines scientific knowledge, operational management, and collaborative leadership to deliver imaging analysis services for cancer research and clinical trials. The Laboratory Manager supervises the Assistant Laboratory Manager and serves as the primary point of contact for institutional stakeholders and external sponsors. The IRAT uses radiological and molecular imaging technologies to evaluate therapeutic response in cancer patients, contributing to precision medicine through imaging methodologies that support patient care and clinical outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with appropriate certification and experience as a senior radiological technologist (preference for certified nuclear medicine technologists – CNMT).
5+ years of experience in medical imaging.
At least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
Experience in laboratory management and staff supervision within an academic research environment.
Familiarity with clinical trial processes, regulatory requirements, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, particularly related to imaging endpoints.
Record of collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, researchers, clinical coordinators, and industry sponsors.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or Doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant field, such as: Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Imaging, Medical Physics, Radiological Sciences, Health Informatics, or related scientific discipline.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee training programs on imaging technologies for cancer investigators.
Provide guidance during trial design and protocol development to align imaging methodologies with study objectives and regulatory requirements.
Support investigator-initiated trials from pre-IRB review through study completion.
Manage multi-center trial imaging services, including oversight of data intake, data redaction, and quantitative image analysis processes.
Coordinate scanner qualification processes and acquisition protocol development for consistent radiotracer-based imaging.
Oversee data redaction, quality control, and secure delivery processes for imaging trials.
Collaborate with board-certified Nuclear Medicine physicians to ensure accurate imaging interpretations.
Establish and implement reporting methodologies based on assessment frameworks (e.g., Lugano Classification, PERCIST, RECIST, PCWG3, CURIE Methods).
Work with trial teams to identify appropriate response assessment techniques and metrics for protocol compliance.
Oversee the development of reporting systems for longitudinal tracking of patient progress and therapeutic response.
Review and approve analysis reports prepared by the Assistant Laboratory Manager.
Lead the development of analysis methodologies that integrate quantitative molecular imaging data with clinical information for disease-specific metrics.
Oversee Theranostic applications by guiding the development of computable biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic functions.
Direct research initiatives that identify treatment pathways for cancer patients through imaging analytics.
Lead the publication and dissemination of research findings.
Supervise and mentor the Assistant Laboratory Manager, supporting professional development and ensuring team performance.
Assign and prioritize daily laboratory activities to maintain efficiency and meet project deadlines.
Conduct performance reviews and provide regular feedback to direct reports.
Serve as liaison with the Resource Director to align laboratory resources with project requirements.
Coordinate with program managers and research coordinators to address requests for data de-identification services and response assessment reporting.
Represent IRAT at monthly Cancer Research Operations Committee (CROC) meetings.
Participate in weekly Clinical Research Review Committee (CRC) meetings to review and provide imaging input on protocols submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Author annual progress reports for the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) and contribute to the five-year renewal process.
Build collaborative relationships across departments to support IRAT's services.
Evaluate and recommend laboratory equipment acquisitions and software systems.
Serve as the point of contact with building management and facilities services for infrastructure needs and maintenance.
Develop and approve standard operating procedures (SOPs) across laboratory functions.
Manage laboratory budget for equipment, supplies, and operational needs.
Ensure adequate staffing and resource allocation for project demands.
Lead the imaging component of clinical trial startup activities within the PET Center, serving as the interface with pharmaceutical and industry sponsors.
Oversee the development and maintenance of image databases, ensuring proper data de-identification and secure archiving.
Review and approve image analysis processes, including automated computational analysis and radiologist-driven assessments.
Establish and maintain quality control standards for consistency and accuracy in reporting.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including FDA regulations, HIPAA, and institutional policies.
Oversee the deployment, use, and maintenance of research software tools, including Auto-PERCIST and Imager-4D.
Ensure software tools remain current and validated for PET response assessments and cross-modality imaging analysis.
Coordinate with software developers and IT professionals to implement updates and address technical issues.
Review publication-ready images, figures, and analysis reports for research dissemination and grant applications.