Programmer, Image Processing, Microscopy - UBC Vancouver Research Lab

COVID NOTE: UBC currently requires 20% of time to be spent in person, thus semi-remote. Due to the physical site being a hospital facility, COVID vaccination is required.

JOB SUMMARY

A position is open immediately for a programmer to work with our interdisciplinary team of researchers and software developers at the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA). We are seeking a passionate individual to join a team of biologists, engineers and data scientists currently developing state of the art methods for spatial imaging of RNA species in human cancers at single cell resolution. Studying tumours at the single cell level can reveal biological differences that may not be resolved when studying the tumour as a whole. The imaging methods being developed include the use of molecularly encoded super-resolution microscopy to detect single molecules of RNA in tissue specimens. The successful candidate will develop and support microscopy imaging pipelines and tools integrating super-resolution microscopy, fluidics and camera functions to facilitate sequential imaging of human cancers. The candidate will also work with biologists and data scientists to analyze images and identify RNA species.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

Working in a research project, both independently and reporting to the project lead in Molecular Oncology or designate, and in conjunction with investigators within the BCCA, UBC and internationally.

WORK PERFORMED

• Development and maintenance of image analysis pipelines and tools
• Support the development of microscopy systems through quantitative feedback and functional requirements definition
• Assisting in generation and presentation of research results from microscopy system
• Perform computational analysis of digital image files from the system
• Documentation and training of microscope system to other users
• Evaluate and develop machine learning techniques (Dimensionality reduction, Clustering, and Classification) and deep networks (CNNs and GCNs) for Image segmentation, Graph analysis, and Image classification
• Working with open source computer vision libraries in Python, Matlab, or C++

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR

Accountable for the operation of the microscopy system and downstream image analysis that will have significant research progress implications.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision from Principal Investigator or designate. Results reviewed for achievement of overall objectives.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

May help to supervise undergraduate trainees and/or junior software technicians.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work/research experience in computer science, signal processing, image processing, and/or optics
• Microscopy image processing experience
• Programming in PythonStrong verbal/written communication skills
• Interdisciplinary teamwork experience
• Experience working in an academic research environment

Preferred

• Microscopy engineering experience
• Undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science
• Machining and design experience
• Expertise in cellular biology and expression analysis
• Experience in software engineering and design
• Experience with scientific high performance computing environments and solutions
• Special consideration will be given to those in research areas that involve computer vision or machine learning.