Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Aortic Image Analysis

The Advanced Aortic Imaging for Clinical and Translational Research (AAI-CTR) lab at UW–Madison is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop and validate next-generation imaging biomarkers for aortic disease. If you want your algorithms to change how patients are monitored and treated, not just generate papers (although there is plenty of that too), this is the role.
Why This Lab:Our group has built several image analysis techniques that have completely changed how we view aortic disease. Specifically, vascular deformation mapping (VDM) is a technique that detects aortic deformation patterns invisible to conventional diameter measurement, and we are actively translating it from research tool to clinical product. Our work sits at the intersection of deep learning, image registration, and clinical decision-making, with active industry partnerships aimed at commercializing the methods we develop. Former trainees have moved into competitive industry positions, co-developed new IP, and gone on to train at other top-tier programs. This is a lab where technical innovation and clinical impact are not separate goals.
What You’ll Do:Algorithm & Pipeline Development

• Design, train, and validate DL/ML models for aortic CT and MRI (segmentation, registration, shape/growth modeling, VDM pipelines).
• Build and optimize image-based pipelines for longitudinal aortic surveillance using large, multi-center datasets.
• Benchmark algorithms against clinical reference standards; lead external validation and reproducibility testing.

Clinical Translation

• Collaborate directly with cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, and radiologists to define clinically meaningful performance targets.
• Advance investigational tools toward real-world use: workflow integration, reliability testing, and documentation aligned with regulatory and commercial pathways.
• Apply novel analysis methods to large patient populations (UW and multi-center cohorts) to generate evidence that supports clinical adoption.

Data & Project Leadership

• Curate, organize, and manage large clinical imaging datasets and associated outcomes data.
• Mentor and collaborate with trainees across clinical, engineering, and physics backgrounds.
• Lead manuscript preparation, conference abstracts, and presentations; build your independent publication record.

• Required Qualifications
  • Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Medical Physics, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Hands-on experience with medical image analysis on CT and/or MRI.
  • Strong AI/DL skill set: proficiency in Python and common ML/DL frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow); experience training and evaluating models on large imaging datasets.
  • Experience with core medical imaging tasks: segmentation, registration, or 3D model/shape analysis, transfer learning. Interest in deformation or longitudinal analysis is a plus.
  • Track record of scientific productivity (peer-reviewed publications, conference papers) and strong written/oral communication.
  • Genuine interest in clinical translation, meaning building tools clinicians will actually use, not just publishing methods papers.
  
  
  Preferred
  • Prior work with vascular or cardiovascular imaging (aorta, aneurysm/dissection, cardiac CT/MR).
  • Experience with image registration or statistical shape/deformation modeling.
  • Familiarity with database tools and good data engineering practices for imaging research.
  • Comfort working in multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating closely with clinicians.
  • Creative, independent problem-solving mindset: able to prototype, test, and iterate quickly.
  
  
  Commitment & EnvironmentWe are looking for someone who can commit to at least 18–24 months. Meaningful translational research takes time: developing a method, validating it rigorously, and publishing the results is not a short-term endeavor. In return, you will work in a highly collaborative environment spanning Radiology, Surgery, Cardiology, and Medical Physics at UW–Madison, with direct access to large clinical datasets and a PI who is invested in your long-term career trajectory.
  Work AuthorizationCandidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization are preferred, including F-1 OPT and STEM OPT. We are open to sponsoring H-1B visas for exceptional candidates, though candidates who do not require immediate employer-sponsored work authorization will have an advantage given current processing timelines.