Senior Research Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

1d•$80,891 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Research Investigator will design, develop, implement, and maintain computational analysis tools for advanced fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution microscopy data. The position will be jointly based between the Lakadamyali Lab and the ACME core at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, with an approximately 50/50 effort split between both groups. The Senior Research Investigator will, under limited supervision of Dr. Melike Lakadamyali and Dr. Mustafa Mir, lead independent software development and quantitative image analysis projects that support both fundamental biological research and core facility users across Penn.

Requirements

A Ph.D in computational biology, quantitative biology, biophysics, engineering, computer science, biomedical engineering, physics or a related field is required.
5-7+ years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in microscopy, image analysis, computational biology, or scientific software development.
Strong programming skills are required.
Experience with MATLAB, Python, Fiji/ImageJ, or related image analysis and scientific computing environments.
The candidate must be highly motivated, organized, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
Possess strong oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated expertise through published papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Nice To Haves

Experience with super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule localization microscopy, single-particle tracking, fluorescence microscopy, or related advanced imaging modalities is highly desirable.
Experience with microscope acquisition and hardware-control software and instrumentation automation is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Design, build, validate, and maintain user-friendly software tools for the analysis of advanced fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution microscopy data for use by the Lakadamyali Lab, ACME core users, and collaborators.
Develop analysis workflows for single-molecule localization microscopy, single-particle tracking, co-localization, spatial statistics, morpholomics analysis, and clustering.
Perform quantitative analysis and interpretation of complex microscopy datasets generated from biological samples, including cells and tissues.
Support, mentor, and train ACME core users by providing guidance on image analysis strategies, quantitative workflows, data interpretation, reproducible microscopy analysis practices, and tutorial development.
Interface with wet-lab collaborators to translate biological needs into appropriate quantitative image analysis strategies.
Write, test, optimize, and maintain code using appropriate programming and image analysis environments, including but not limited to MATLAB, Python, Fiji/ImageJ, and related scientific computing tools.
Generate figures, graphs, quantitative summaries, method descriptions, and data visualizations for manuscripts, grant proposals, presentations, and core facility reports.
Present research findings and technical developments at lab meetings, core facility meetings, seminars, conferences, and collaborative meetings.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families
Generous retirement benefits
A wide variety of professional development opportunities
Supportive work and family benefits
A wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and potentially other institutions
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial amount of time away from work (vacations, personal affairs, illness, family time)
Long-Term Care Insurance
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to a wide range of University resources, cultural and recreational activities (libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries)
Discounts and Special Services (arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars, cellular phone service, movie tickets, theme parks)
Flexible Work Hours
Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
Adoption Assistance (reimbursement for qualified expenses)