Postdoc Position:
Post Doctoral/ Research Scientist Position in the Field of Signal and Image Processing
PhotoMedicine Labs, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Salary Range: $60,000- $80,000 (based on quality and experience)
Employer Description
The University of Waterloo:
Engineering education is a cornerstone at the University of Waterloo which serves as one of the top 50 engineering schools worldwide. Within Canada, the University of Waterloo is the largest engineering school. For 28 years in a row UW was ranked Canada’s most innovative university, 2nd best overall university in the country and 3rd in Canada for highest quality. In a survey run by Maclean’s containing result from 24,000 university students, UW was ranked #1 for career preparation. From QS Graduate Employability Rankings, Waterloo was deemed #2 in Canada. We hold the #1 spot for Canada’s most comprehensive research university of the past 11 years, including being the best in Canada for hands-on experiential learning. In 2018, one of Waterloo’s own won the Nobel Prize in Physics; Professor Donna Strickland was the third woman in history to revive the prestigious honour. With more than 50,000 university and college students, one of the youngest populations in Canada, and internationally-recognized think tanks, Waterloo Region is a great place to study and live!
uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/welcome-postdoctoral-affairs
The PhotoMedicine Labs:
Welcome to the PhotoMedicine Labs (PML) in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. PML is interested in designing and developing novel engineering systems for clinical and pre-clinical biomedical applications. These new technologies aim to provide clinicians and researchers with novel capabilities and information that is presently difficult/impossible to obtain with existing techniques.
Our research philosophy is translational research from bench to bedside. Therefore, we built the foundation of PML on translational research activities. In that end, we run a truly interdisciplinary research program. We research, design, and develop our entire hardware and software systems in PML. This includes but not limited to research activities in state-of-the-art optical imaging systems, photoacoustic, nonlinear optics, optical sensing, fiber-optics, data acquisition, electronics, software development, image processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, ultrasound, instrument control, and analytical and computational modeling. We also design, perform and analyze significant pre-clinical and clinical experiments and activities. PML currently consists of several laboratories (Discovery Lab, Imaging Lab, Machine learning and image processing lab, Invivo Lab, Pre-clinical lab and Pathology lab). We are working to double our research activities by the end of 2024.
Our group continually strive to maintain an extremely dynamic, respectful, intellectual, fun, and creative environment. We are passionate about our research and enjoy working together as a team. Our goal is to bring talents and good ideas together to make a difference and contribute to our society. We understand that this requires hard work, knowledge, creativity, teamwork, efficiency, honesty, and focus.
Our research: Photon Absorption Remote Sensing (PARS®):
Our proprietary PARS® photon absorption remote sensing technology technology is a revolution in optical imaging. Like traditional photoacoustic imaging, PARS™ measures optical absorption and is capable of providing functional and molecular imaging of anything that can absorb light. Traditional photoacoustic imaging has been constrained by the need to have contact with targeted tissues, the size of transducers and an inability to easily integrate with other optical imaging techniques. PARS™ is the first fully optical, non-contact photoacoustic imaging technology. This allows PARS™ to maintain all of the advantages of photoacoustic imaging while addressing its short comings which provides incredible flexibility in how it can be deployed. PhotoMedicine Labs work with market leading partners to develop systems for specific applications. Currently, our primary research focus is on the development of deep cellular resolution PARS™ microscopy techniques. Our secondary research vision involves the development of multi-modality optical imaging techniques as well as novel all-optical detection methods for photoacoustic tomography.
For more information check out our website: www.photomedicinelabs.com/
Job descriptions:
At the PhotoMedicine Labs, we are looking to broaden our research with regards to signal and image processing using intelligent algorithms.
Signal processing: The PARS modality produces time-domain signals which encode material information from the sample under test including optical absorption. One subset of research projects would revolve around the application of intelligent algorithms towards improving the quantity and quality of extracted data. This will involve investigations into appropriate sample spaces (amplitude, frequency, transforms, etc.) and algorithms for extracting sample parameters such as chromophore properties. These may be used to improve extracted signal fidelity, differentiate between chromophores, and improve chromophore understanding and identification through linear and non-linear inverse models to name a few.
Image processing: Extracted information from PARS acquisitions are reconstructed into representative visualizations of the sample under test. However, formation and processing of final images may benefit highly from intelligent approaches. These may be used to reduce background noise, segment the image into salient regions, replicate the look of conventional imaging processes, enhanced image quality and contrast to through unsupervised learning with novel loss functions, and extract biologically relevant information (blood vessel pathways, cell nuclei statistics, etc.).
Intelligent Algorithm Development: At the PhotoMedicine Labs, we research and develop intelligent algorithms that use machine learning and image processing techniques to improve the quality of the PARS modality through a holistic problem solving method by considering the entire optical imaging chain from the sample we are imaging, to the optical components, to the method in which we are capturing our signals, and to the way in which we process our signals and present them. In addition, these algorithms can be parameterised to include system and component properties that can be optimised over to iterate on the actual design of the PARS hardware allowing there to be a simultaneous and iterative co-design of algorithm and optical hardware.
Roles & responsibilities
Requirements
We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples. All qualified candidates are encouraged to send their CV and cover letter to Dr. Parsin H. Reza ([email protected]).
**Please note: Only candidates who are successful in the application process and invited for an interview will be contacted by us via email. **
PhotoMedicine Labs, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Salary Range: $60,000- $80,000 (based on quality and experience)
Employer Description
The University of Waterloo:
Engineering education is a cornerstone at the University of Waterloo which serves as one of the top 50 engineering schools worldwide. Within Canada, the University of Waterloo is the largest engineering school. For 28 years in a row UW was ranked Canada’s most innovative university, 2nd best overall university in the country and 3rd in Canada for highest quality. In a survey run by Maclean’s containing result from 24,000 university students, UW was ranked #1 for career preparation. From QS Graduate Employability Rankings, Waterloo was deemed #2 in Canada. We hold the #1 spot for Canada’s most comprehensive research university of the past 11 years, including being the best in Canada for hands-on experiential learning. In 2018, one of Waterloo’s own won the Nobel Prize in Physics; Professor Donna Strickland was the third woman in history to revive the prestigious honour. With more than 50,000 university and college students, one of the youngest populations in Canada, and internationally-recognized think tanks, Waterloo Region is a great place to study and live!
uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/welcome-postdoctoral-affairs
The PhotoMedicine Labs:
Welcome to the PhotoMedicine Labs (PML) in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. PML is interested in designing and developing novel engineering systems for clinical and pre-clinical biomedical applications. These new technologies aim to provide clinicians and researchers with novel capabilities and information that is presently difficult/impossible to obtain with existing techniques.
Our research philosophy is translational research from bench to bedside. Therefore, we built the foundation of PML on translational research activities. In that end, we run a truly interdisciplinary research program. We research, design, and develop our entire hardware and software systems in PML. This includes but not limited to research activities in state-of-the-art optical imaging systems, photoacoustic, nonlinear optics, optical sensing, fiber-optics, data acquisition, electronics, software development, image processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, ultrasound, instrument control, and analytical and computational modeling. We also design, perform and analyze significant pre-clinical and clinical experiments and activities. PML currently consists of several laboratories (Discovery Lab, Imaging Lab, Machine learning and image processing lab, Invivo Lab, Pre-clinical lab and Pathology lab). We are working to double our research activities by the end of 2024.
Our group continually strive to maintain an extremely dynamic, respectful, intellectual, fun, and creative environment. We are passionate about our research and enjoy working together as a team. Our goal is to bring talents and good ideas together to make a difference and contribute to our society. We understand that this requires hard work, knowledge, creativity, teamwork, efficiency, honesty, and focus.
Our research: Photon Absorption Remote Sensing (PARS®):
Our proprietary PARS® photon absorption remote sensing technology technology is a revolution in optical imaging. Like traditional photoacoustic imaging, PARS™ measures optical absorption and is capable of providing functional and molecular imaging of anything that can absorb light. Traditional photoacoustic imaging has been constrained by the need to have contact with targeted tissues, the size of transducers and an inability to easily integrate with other optical imaging techniques. PARS™ is the first fully optical, non-contact photoacoustic imaging technology. This allows PARS™ to maintain all of the advantages of photoacoustic imaging while addressing its short comings which provides incredible flexibility in how it can be deployed. PhotoMedicine Labs work with market leading partners to develop systems for specific applications. Currently, our primary research focus is on the development of deep cellular resolution PARS™ microscopy techniques. Our secondary research vision involves the development of multi-modality optical imaging techniques as well as novel all-optical detection methods for photoacoustic tomography.
For more information check out our website: www.photomedicinelabs.com/
Job descriptions:
At the PhotoMedicine Labs, we are looking to broaden our research with regards to signal and image processing using intelligent algorithms.
Signal processing: The PARS modality produces time-domain signals which encode material information from the sample under test including optical absorption. One subset of research projects would revolve around the application of intelligent algorithms towards improving the quantity and quality of extracted data. This will involve investigations into appropriate sample spaces (amplitude, frequency, transforms, etc.) and algorithms for extracting sample parameters such as chromophore properties. These may be used to improve extracted signal fidelity, differentiate between chromophores, and improve chromophore understanding and identification through linear and non-linear inverse models to name a few.
Image processing: Extracted information from PARS acquisitions are reconstructed into representative visualizations of the sample under test. However, formation and processing of final images may benefit highly from intelligent approaches. These may be used to reduce background noise, segment the image into salient regions, replicate the look of conventional imaging processes, enhanced image quality and contrast to through unsupervised learning with novel loss functions, and extract biologically relevant information (blood vessel pathways, cell nuclei statistics, etc.).
Intelligent Algorithm Development: At the PhotoMedicine Labs, we research and develop intelligent algorithms that use machine learning and image processing techniques to improve the quality of the PARS modality through a holistic problem solving method by considering the entire optical imaging chain from the sample we are imaging, to the optical components, to the method in which we are capturing our signals, and to the way in which we process our signals and present them. In addition, these algorithms can be parameterised to include system and component properties that can be optimised over to iterate on the actual design of the PARS hardware allowing there to be a simultaneous and iterative co-design of algorithm and optical hardware.
Roles & responsibilities
- Perform independent research in the above-mentioned topics.
- Collaborate with other researchers and team members in collection and interpretation of data.
- Participate in the preparation of manuscripts and presentations.
Requirements
- PhD degree in Engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, computational biology, bioinformatics or other quantitative disciplines.
- Programming and software development skills (C/C++, MATLAB, Python, etc.).
- Experienced with developing and implementing intelligent algorithms and software packages.
- Experienced with managing and curating large data sets
- Team-oriented with ability to work independently.
- Ability to work efficiently and prioritize multiple project tasks.
- Ability to clearly explain design concepts, theory of operation, and instructions to researchers in the biological sciences.
- Excellent communication, verbal, and written skills.
We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples. All qualified candidates are encouraged to send their CV and cover letter to Dr. Parsin H. Reza ([email protected]).
**Please note: Only candidates who are successful in the application process and invited for an interview will be contacted by us via email. **