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Non-Faculty Academic (NFA) Specialist Position for Sodium MRI Research
UCSF Departments of Dermatology and Computational Precision Health & Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging

A non-faculty academic specialist position is available with a joint appointment in the Departments of Dermatology and Computational Precision Health in Dr. Katrina Abuabara’s laboratory and in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in Dr. Jeremy Gordon’s laboratory. The goal of this NFA research is to lead the development and application of new Sodium MR imaging techniques for biomedical research studies. This new molecular imaging method is designed to provide novel measures to characterize both normal and pathologic states in human studies that are not adequately assessed with current methods. The specialist will contribute to a program of study aiming to understand causes and consequences of sodium storage in the skin, beginning with atopic dermatitis (eczema). For the 32 million people in the U.S. currently living with atopic dermatitis, the waxing and waning course of their chronic disease is impossible to predict, does not respond uniformly to treatment, and results in substantial economic impact and decreased quality of life. Understanding drivers of the disease activity is essential to developing treatments, and sodium/salt consumption is a likely contributor. The team will test novel hypotheses about the role of dietary salt intake and skin barrier function on sodium storage in the skin and atopic dermatitis severity and persistence in a new cohort of older adult men and women followed for two years.

Facilities: UCSF hosts a large NIH-funded NIBIB center (HMTRC) equipped with 3T and 7T human MRI scanners dedicated for research. For more information, please visit the center website at: https://radiology.ucsf.edu/research

Job Description and Responsibilities: UCSF has established a major research center in MR for cell, tissue, & in vivo studies with expanding engineering needs and opportunities. This specialist will be responsible for developing new sodium MR methods and lead new biomedical research studies at 7T. This will include sequence development using the high-field GE and/or Siemens clinical MRI scanners, as well as optimizing data acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis methodologies for sodium quantification.

Qualifications: The position requires proficiency in advanced data analysis. To be appointed as an Assistant Specialist, the candidate must have a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline with three or more years of research experience. To be appointed as an Associate Specialist, the candidate must have a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline or five to ten years of relevant experience. To be appointed as a Full Specialist, the candidate must have a terminal degree (or equivalent degree) in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline or ten or more years of relevant experience; a background in experimental NMR/MRI techniques and research studies; and be proficient in Matlab or Python. A PhD is preferred. Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment. Application materials must state qualifications (or if pending) upon submission. Candidates with an advanced degree, advanced skills in bioinformatics and data analysis, and an interest in skin biology and public health are also encouraged to apply.

Please Apply to: https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF05109
Candidates should provide the following: Curriculum vitae (CV), Statement of research interests, & 3 references.

For other inquiries, please contact Prof. Jeremy Gordon (Jeremy.Gordon@ucsf.edu)

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $59,200-
$181,800.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.