Director, Wu Tsai Neurosceinces Institute Preclinical Imaging Laboratory

The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute is dedicated to understanding how the brain gives rise to mental life and behavior, both in health and in disease. Our research community draws from and informs multiple disciplines, including neuroscience, medicine, engineering, psychology, education and law. The discoveries that arise from these collaborations will transform our understanding of the human brain, provide novel treatments for brain disorders, and promote brain health throughout the lifespan.

Neuroscience is at an inflection point in its history. New technologies are transforming scientists’ abilities to explore the brain — yielding more detailed images of its cells, more accurate measurements of its activity, and more precise ability to mimic its functions than ever before. With these new approaches have come astounding new insights about the exquisite complexity of the brain. The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute is at the forefront of this exploration.

The mission of the Neurosciences Preclinical Imaging Laboratory is to provide access to state-of-the-art preclinical imaging instruments to facilitate translation of neuroscience research from in-vitro tests to small animal investigations and clinical practice. The primary imaging modality will be a 40cm-bore 7 Tesla Bruker magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The facility includes available space for a second imaging modality. The Neuroscience Preclinical Imaging Laboratory will complement world-class preclinical imaging systems available elsewhere on the Stanford campus.

In this position you:

• Will report to the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Assistant Director for Neuroscience Community Labs with scientific direction from the Neurosciences Preclinical Imaging Laboratory Faculty Director.
• Will provide financial, operational, and scientific/technical leadership for a world-class small animal imaging facility located in the Stanford Neurosciences Building on the Stanford University campus. 
• Maintain the laboratory facilities supporting the operations of one or more complex research and teaching facilities of significant complexity.
• Apply advanced knowledge of principles, concepts, and methods for assigned areas of responsibility. Participate in strategic planning and complex budgeting activities.
• Oversee the operation and management of a new Bruker 40cm-bore 7T magnet to be installed in a custom-designed laboratory in the Stanford Neurosciences Building. Implement and maintain a data management infrastructure for storage, management, retrieval, sharing and reproducibility. Implement and maintain a system for instrument scheduling and billing. 
• Train and assist Stanford research scientists to independently operate the scanner, and perform contract imaging for both Stanford research groups and external research organizations.
• Participate in creating strategic plans for future laboratory needs in consultation with the faculty oversight committee and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute leadership. Consult and collaborate with the faculty oversight committee and Institute leadership to plan and allocate lab space for current and future research needs, which may include other imaging modalities.
• Plan and determine equipment needs, authorize purchase of equipment including capital improvements, and manage installation of equipment and instruments in collaboration with facilities services staff. Evaluate and strategically determine equipment upgrade/replacement options and other alternatives in lieu of repair based on latest technological advances and current and future needs. Negotiate, select, and monitor complex equipment service contracts and warranties with vendors. Contribute significantly to equipment grants for instrumentation acquisition, upgrades and enhancements.
• Design and implement plans for renovations of equipment and/or facilities; manage complex laboratory moves in collaboration with facilities services staff.
• Work with Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute financial staff, administer and prepare complex budgets that include multiple funding sources and ensure financial performance of the laboratory.
• Oversee and administer health and safety programs and ensure safety compliance; liaise with school and/or university health and safety office as appropriate.
• Actively advertise the Neurosciences Preclinical Imaging Lab to the Stanford research community. Support scientific dissemination of techniques and data through workshops, symposia, courses and scientific conferences.