Research Scientist

at  Western University

ABOUT US

The Robarts Research Institute within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University has made its mission to accelerate medical discovery. Through a powerful integration of basic and clinical research, we are driving major advances that impact on many of today’s most devastating diseases.
The London Kidney Clinical Research Unit (KCRU) was established 12 years ago and is a 4,000 square-foot facility at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). It is dedicated to clinical patient-oriented research. This unit fosters research by an integrated group of around 40 clinician investigators, biophysicists, applied mathematicians, biostatisticians, research coordinators and administrators. There are more than 50 active studies currently being coordinated through the unit

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• PhD in a relevant discipline

Experience:

• 7 years’ of experience involving multi-nuclear (non-proton) MRI in a related academic research environment (including Post-Graduate research experience)
• Experience proving leadership to technical staff and students in a research environment
• Substantial work completed on postdoctoral research portfolio in a directly related field; a strong publication record including first author publications is preferred
• Experience with 23Na-MRI would be an asset

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Familiarity with General Electric Healthcare and Siemens Healthcare 3.0 T MRI platforms
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve MRI hardware integration problems
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision as well as integrate with the research group
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation and seek hardware certification from Health Canada
• Knowledge of laboratory safety regulations with the ability to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies¿
• Self-driven, independent thinker who is highly motivated and possesses an intrinsic passion for quality work outcomes and strong productivity with demonstrated project management methodologies
• Ability to perform both standard and complex laboratory procedures with accuracy, precision and reliability
• Professional and effective interpersonal skills to interact with trainees and other university personnel on a daily basis to maximize the research productivity of the lab personnel and core facility
• Extensive knowledge of MRI and in particular multinuclear applications
• Demonstrated knowledge of ethics review board procedures as applicable to human and animal research
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to multi-task with targeted goals
• Ability to manage activities on a personal level and for others in an effective manner.
• Ability to research and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Possess a reputation for resourcefulness and a strong sense of accountability and initiative
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives and support work beyond KCRU
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to coach team members and provide mentorship, assisting with solving complex problems
• Strong record of teamwork with the motivation and ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Advanced computer skills used to produce and analyze research outcomes such as Matlab for analysis of MRI data, C or C++, Pulse-programming languages such as EPIC and IDEA
• Ability to code on at least one vendor platform and willingness to train on a further vendor specific platform
• A desire to stay abreast of technological developments

The Research Scientist will provide guidance and consultation related to a variety of research functions related to multiple elements of advanced clinical imaging, including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), proton and multi-nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the London Kidney Clinical Research Unit (KCRU). The role will facilitate research by providing guidance to variety of imaging scientists throughout the Biomedical Imaging Research Centre (London Hospitals, London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health and Robarts Research Institutes) and will participate in all stages of research design and implementation, including funding, initiation, execution, analysis, interpretation, and presentation/publication of results. The Research Scientist will be accountable for delivering research outcomes as outlined in grant proposals and will provide scientific expertise for the development and deployment of multinuclear MRI to study kidney patients (on multi-vendor imaging platforms) and will collaborate with other researchers and students within KCRU engaged in other proton-based MRI projects. The role will provide related guidance on research and experimental design and related equipment, as well as best approaches for project development, implementation, and evaluation.
The Research Scientist will oversee research operations within the facility, foster research collaborations, and provide supervision to staff, undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and external stakeholders to solve research problems or issues that arise. The Research Scientist will set research goals and objectives, carry out and oversee original and independent research, develop new research initiatives and complete grant applications. The role will also select and develop methods for data collection, analyze research results, publish and present findings, and develop new and innovative research approaches to achieve desired research outcomes.