Ultrasound Simulation/Modeling Subject Matter Expert

Tunnell Government Services • Bethesda, MD

16h • Remote

About The Position

Tunnell Government Services, Inc. is seeking an Ultrasound Simulation/Modeling Subject Matter Expert to support the FDA’s Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL) within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Medical Acoustics Program. This fully remote role supports regulatory science research in therapeutic ultrasound and medical acoustics. Working with FDA scientists and engineers, the contractor will develop, implement, and validate computational models of linear and nonlinear ultrasound wave propagation to help evaluate emerging medical device technologies.

The role includes designing and maintaining a library of high-fidelity computational models for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), transcranial ultrasound, histotripsy, thermal ablation, and other therapeutic ultrasound modalities. The successful candidate will build simulation tools and workflows using k-Wave, MATLAB, Python, and other scientific computing platforms to model acoustic propagation, tissue interactions, thermal effects, and treatment outcomes. The contractor will also conduct numerical analyses, validate model performance against experimental and published data, document methodologies, and contribute to technical reports, publications, and regulatory science initiatives.

The candidate should bring expertise in computational acoustics, ultrasound physics, numerical methods, and scientific software development. Experience with finite-difference, finite-element, or pseudospectral modeling techniques; high-performance computing; and nonlinear acoustic propagation is highly desirable. The contractor must be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, physicists, and clinicians. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or full Green Card holders.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Acoustics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.
• At least seven years of demonstrated experience in computational acoustics and ultrasound simulation.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, and/or k-Wave.
• Experience developing, validating, and documenting scientific or engineering software.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or full Green Card holder.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with HIFU, therapeutic ultrasound, histotripsy, transcranial ultrasound, or thermal ablation technologies.
• Knowledge of nonlinear acoustics, bioheat transfer, and ultrasound-tissue interaction modeling.
• Experience with high-performance computing, parallel processing, and large-scale numerical simulations.
• Prior experience supporting medical device research, regulatory science, or government-sponsored R&D programs.
• Experience with finite-difference, finite-element, or pseudospectral modeling techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and validate computational models of linear and nonlinear ultrasound wave propagation.
• Design and maintain a library of high-fidelity computational models for HIFU, transcranial ultrasound, histotripsy, thermal ablation, and other therapeutic ultrasound modalities.
• Develop simulation tools and workflows using k-Wave, MATLAB, Python, and other scientific computing platforms.
• Model acoustic propagation, tissue interactions, thermal effects, and treatment outcomes.
• Conduct numerical analyses and validate model performance against experimental and published data.
• Document methodologies and contribute to technical reports, publications, and regulatory science initiatives.
• Work independently and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, physicists, and clinicians.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior