Job Information
Case Western Reserve University Research Associate (Laboratory Research) - Biomedical Engineering in Cleveland, Ohio
Posted May 31, 2024 Date: May 2024 Title: Research Associate (Laboratory Research) Department: Biomedical Engineering School: Engineering Location: Wickenden Building Supervisor Name and Title: Andrew Shoffstall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor POSITION OBJECTIVE The Shoffstall lab focuses on two primary areas of research: 1) biomedical materials design and testing (including injectable and resorbable electrodes, novel material coatings and substrates, and tissue response), and 2) neural engineering and modulation (including neural anatomy, imaging, and targeted drug delivery for therapeutic applications). In addition, Dr. Shoffstall has been awarded a unique NIH funded contract entitled REconstructing Vagal Anatomy (REVA). This project is a 3 year NIH SPARC grant which aims to assist in speeding up the development of therapeutic devices that control electrical activity in nerves to improve chronic medical conditions by characterizing the vagus nerve using a number of different imaging modalities. The REVA teams' goal will be to show how nerve tracts in the vagus map to organs. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve has been used to treat epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart failure, among other conditions. The research associate will work primarily with MRI images from cadaveric human vagus nerves and vagal branches. They will work closely with MRI team lead, Dr. Ari Blitz. The research associate will participate in maintaining a strong lab culture within the research group and work in a highly collaborative, milestone-driven project. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS With the principal investigator and Dr. Blitz, provide scientific oversight of all MRI data analysis. Specifically, a)evaluate imaging for data completeness and quality at the time of performance of MRI examination, b) transmit "MRI Scan Review Checklist" to anatomy team after review with Dr. Blitz, c)correlate anatomic dissection with radiologic evaluation, and d) review and present MRI data to the team. (25%) Coordinate MRI-related dissections and analysis performed by other lab members, ensuring adequate resources and assisting with experimental design. Oversee progress of the research projects and provide regular progress reports to the PI; and provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in MRI research projects. (25%) Mentor and train lab staff and graduate students; oversee research work and ensure projects are completed according to the research plan. This will involve teaching other members of the lab techniques and scientific discovery methods, including students and post-docs. Assist and teach both established and new research techniques to other lab members to facilitate their experiments. (25%) Present data and findings at laboratory meetings and scientific meetings, seminars, etc. Prepare manuscripts, contribute preliminary data for grant proposals, contribute to writing grant proposals. Complete literature reviews and summary of relevant prior literature on normal human vagus imaging (10%) Independently author research projects. Assemble data and make publication-quality figures from analyzed data. With the highest level of integrity and responsible conduct of research, participate in writing manuscripts as a first author and co-author for discoveries from research performed in the lab, together with the PI and other lab members. (10%) Supervise research assistants and technicians. Supervise the research and technical work performed by other lab members, ensuring proper lab procedures are followed, and their safety, and ensuring adequate resources are provided for lab work. (5%) NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Perform other duties as assigned. CONTACTS Department: Daily contact with PI and lab members, work with other faculty for collaboration of research projects, contact with administrative staf