Research, Sr. Analyst

Department
 

BSD OBA - Luo Lab

About the Department
 

The research specialist is to manage the Computed Tomography (CT) facility of the lab, to train students and other research personnel in using CT facility, and to support of the CT users community in Biological Sciences Division, and to facilitate research use of the CT scanner. For lab research, the Research Specialist is to assist faculty principal investigator in research on vertebrate anatomy and paleontology, in scientific illustration, CT scanning and image visualization, and modeling/animation based on CT and other scanning data. The research specialist is also to support the lab personnel in using software and computer stations and 3D printer. The position will be based in Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, the University of Chicago.

Job Summary
 

The job participates in scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

Responsibilities

• Management of lab’s industrial high-energy and high-resolution CT scanner: routine maintenance of CT scanner, working with CT manufacturer on preventive maintenance, problem-solving in case of need for repair; supporting major repairs/upgrades of CT components as needed.

• Providing scan service for external users, and for other application of CT scanning in research; to scan for external scientific clients (including collaborators of the PI’s lab) and other museum collections.

• CT account administration (generating pre-invoices; following up on client payment if needed; tracking PO/invoices of purchases of parts and repairs); scan data management and transfer.

• Training of students, postdoctoral associates, and staff of the university in using CT (both online and in-person training). Setting up accounts for data transfer; certifying completion of training, activation of CT account.

• Supervising a university-wide community of diverse users, and facilitating their access to the CT facility; tech support for users of scanner if needed; coordinating the user schedule of CT scanner and monitoring for users on scanning protocols and protocols of CT database. Resolving schedule-conflict among users when CT time is in high demand. During CT downtime, facilitate UChicago users to access alternative scanning facilities.

• Scientific illustration for morphological and comparative biological publications.

• Create graphic art, digital visualization and modeling for paleontological studies.

• Training and mentoring students in image analysis software, and visualization of CT scan data.

• Management of other lab equipment and lab’s data archive; support research activities.

• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.

• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the anatomical and paleontological research.

• Advanced degree in a field relevant to the research being conducted strongly preferred.

Experience:

• One-year research experience in vertebrate biology strongly preferred.

• One-year research experience in paleontology strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated skills and proficiency in scientific illustrations.

• Experience in graphic art for biology and paleontology.

• Five-years (or more) experience in operating industrial microCT scanner.

• Experience in CT data visualization and animation for research.

• Proficiency in software for image analysis of CT data (Mimics, Avizo, VGStudios, Almira, Dragonfly, 3D Slicer), in animation software (e.g. Maya, 3D Slicer), and working knowledge of sc