Position Summary

Dr. Christine O’Brien invites applicants to join her laboratory, which focuses on developing optical spectroscopy and imaging tools to solve global problems in maternal-fetal health and reproductive diseases. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team, including collaborators in engineering, obstetrics & gynecology, and radiology. As a translational biomedical engineering lab, the successful candidate will work on projects that have high potential to impact patients, particularly those in underserved areas where needs are greatest. The O’Brien Lab aims to foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment in which team members work together to creatively solve global medical challenges. Areas of expertise: laser-tissue interaction, microelectronics, instrumentation, signal processing, wearables, statistical analysis, design of optical systems, PCB design.

A postdoctoral position is available immediately for applicants interested in developing novel wearable optical sensors for applications in maternal health. The goals of this project are to develop fully wearable sensors that can be worn during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery to provide early identification of the leading causes of maternal mortality. Project work will involve sensor design, including analog front end design, light source modulation, sensor miniaturization including PCB design, sensor testing via physiology-mimicking phantoms, healthy control subjects, and pregnant patients, and analysis of continuous time signals including signal processing, feature extraction, and statistical analysis.

In addition to high-quality research facilities, career and professional development training for postdoctoral researchers is provided through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Career Center, Teaching Center, and campus groups.

Information on being a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/ .

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Trains under the supervision of Prof. O’Brien including (but not limited to):

• Manages their own project, which is expected to yield one or more publications.
• Develops expertise in wearable optical sensors, including design, fabrication, and testing.
• Supports or leads evaluation of novel wearable sensors via physiological phantoms, animal studies, and patient studies.
• Mentors doctoral, master’s and undergraduate students engaged in independent research activities.
• Develops proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
• Presents scientific work both inside and outside the university with excellent oral communication skills.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting, and contributes to laboratory organization including meeting planning.
• Designs research experiments, evaluates research findings and reports results.
• Conscientious discharge of his/her research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adheres to all applicable university policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in university laboratories remain the property of the university.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Self-motivated, independent, and possess training in areas of biomedical optics, laser-tissue interaction, instrumentation, microelectronics, signal processing, and programming.
• Demonstrated record of achievement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to work with a multidisciplinary research team.

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions

Interested individuals should send a curriculum vitae to Dr. O'Brien at c.obrien@wustl.edu.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.