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Molecular Imaging/Contrast Agent Development Faculty

Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Location
Dallas, Texas
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
Dec 8, 2022

The Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC) at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in
Dallas / Texas / USA invites applications for an open rank (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor 
depending on qualification) tenure-track faculty position in the field of molecular imaging / 
contrast agent development.

Potential topics include but are not limited to (I) novel MRI contrast agents; (II) novel PET 
contrast agents with a focus on brain applications; (III) novel optical or optoacoustic contrast 
agents; (IV) multimodal PET-MRI or optical-MRI contrast agents; (V) theranostic agents;
(VI) molecular imaging of inflammation; (VII) molecular imaging of cancer; (VIII) molecular imaging 
of neurodegenerative disorders; (IX) cross-validation of molecular imaging readouts against ex vivo 
methods (NMR, mass spectroscopy, optical and electron microscopy, biochemical assays) to enhance 
the physiological interpretation of imaging contrasts.

Since its creation in 2005, the AIRC has established a track record of excellence in metabolic 
imaging including the development of MRI contrast agents, a hyperpolarization program, magnetic 
resonance spectroscopy as well as the investigation of tissue extracts by NMR after ¹³C labelled 
isotope infusion. Due to the recent establishment of the O’Donnell Brain Institute at UTSW and to 
better support an active clinical and basic science neuroimaging community at UTSW, UTD and UTA we 
aim to develop a strong MRI neuroimaging methodology expertise to complement the existing focus. 
UTSW has an international reputation in clinical and basic science excellence. There have been six 
Nobel Prize recipients since 1985.

AIRC provides access to human and preclinical MRI scanners to faculty and students at the three 
University of Texas academic institutions in north Texas to advance human imaging studies and 
translational research in animals.  The AIRC currently consists of 12 primary faculty and more than 
20 secondary or adjunct faculty and will expand by about 5 primary faculty in near future. AIRC is 
equipped with three human research-only 3T MR scanners (Philips Ingenia, Siemens Prisma, GE 750w), 
one human 7T MR scanner (Philips, first DDAS 7T system worldwide, software R5.9, parallel 
transmission fully integrated, state-of-the art neuroimaging scan protocols, enhanced multinuclear 
capability), three state-of-the art small animal MR scanners (Bruker 3T with HP capability, Bruker 
7T with PET insert, 9.4T with rat and mouse brain cryo-coils and strong gradients), two 
hyperpolarization setups (Spin Aligner for preclinical and SpinLab for human application), 3 NMR 
spectrometers (Bruker) and a large chemistry lab for contrast agent development. The human and 
preclinical MRI and NMR facilities inside the AIRC recently underwent renovation and comprehensive 
hardware and software upgrades and are at the latest state-of-the-art. The nearby Radiology 
Department offers access to a cyclotron and hot chemistry labs for producing radiotracers, small 
animal and human PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners, bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging for rodents 
and a highly focused ultra-sound (HIFU) system integrated with pre-clinical MRI. The installation 
of integrated human PET-MRI and MRI-HIFU systems (Radiology) and two
integrated MR-LINAC (Radiation Oncology) were completed recently.

Applicants for this position should have a strong scientific record of accomplishment in either
contrast agent development or application of molecular imaging in preclinical or clinical studies, 
which is supported by respective publications and extramural funding. The research focus of the 
candidate should be the development of novel contrast agents and/or the integration and application 
of multi-modal molecular imaging methods. Knowledge of either contrast agent chemistry and/or 
molecular imaging methodology / instrumentation is required. Applicants should have a degree in 
chemistry, biomedical engineering, biology, physiology, physics, electrical engineering, computer 
science or related fields. Experience in supervising graduate students and/or postdoctoral 
researchers is preferred. Faculty are expected to develop an independent, extramurally-funded 
research program and actively engage with clinical and basic research faculty across campus to 
apply the latest molecular imaging technologies to probe basic physiology and investigate small 
animal disease models or to translate molecular imaging into human studies.

The position is available immediately and the search is going to continue until a suitable 
candidate  is  found.  The  rank  (Assistant/Associate/Full  Professor),  is  dependent  on 
qualifications, previous experience and record of accomplishment of the candidate. The offer will 
include an attractive start-up package and a highly competitive salary.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women, 
minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Applications should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications (peer- 
reviewed original articles; review articles; book chapters; conference contributions; patents; 
other), a list of grants (please clearly distinguish grants as PI, as Co-PI and as person funded by 
the grant); a list of supervised students (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and postdoctoral researchers; a 
comprehensive summary of past research experience and future research interests (max 4 pages); PhD 
and Master certificates and respective transcripts; PDF copies of 5 most important publications and 
three references (contact details only).

All materials should be sent electronically as a single PDF file to Anke Henning, Director, 
Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US: 
Anke.Henning@UTSouthwestern.edu and uploaded to the UTSW Talent Acquisition system: 
https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/job/16792682/molecular-imaging-faculty-advanced-imaging-
research-center-dallas-tx/.
 

 

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