Research Scientist, Cardiac Imaging

We are seeking a Research Scientist to join the Cardiac Imaging research program led by Amit R. Patel, MD, Julian Ruffin Beckwith Professor of Medicine and Radiology and Director of Cardiac Imaging. The program applies novel multimodality imaging tools—echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), cardiac computed tomography, and nuclear cardiology—to clinically challenging problems in cardiovascular medicine.

About the role

Active areas of investigation include quantitative assessment of chamber size and function, myocardial strain and deformation imaging, myocardial perfusion and blood flow quantification, characterization of epicardial adipose tissue, and improved detection and risk stratification of infiltrative and inflammatory cardiomyopathies including cardiac amyloidosis and cardiac sarcoidosis. The program collaborates extensively with biomedical engineers, computer scientists, and radiologists at UVA, and participates in multicenter and international consortia as well as industry-sponsored studies.

Research Scientists are expected to perform assigned tasks independently. In addition to a firm background in the field, they should demonstrate the ability to lead small groups and work without additional supervision once objectives are defined and methods of approach are set.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and manage clinical and translational cardiovascular imaging research studies, including protocol development, IRB submission and maintenance, and regulatory documentation.
• Perform and oversee quantitative image analysis for research purposes, including two- and three-dimensional chamber quantification, volumetric analysis, speckle-tracking strain and deformation analysis, diastolic function assessment, and tissue characterization across imaging modalities.
• Develop, document, and standardize image acquisition and measurement methodology for multicenter studies; train and quality-assure other analysts and participating site personnel; maintain measurement reproducibility standards.
• Serve in a core-laboratory capacity for single-center, multicenter, and international imaging studies and registries.
• Build and maintain imaging research databases and registries; ensure data integrity, provenance, and compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Contribute to the validation and clinical evaluation of automated and artificial intelligence–based image analysis tools developed with engineering and industry collaborators.
• Conduct statistical analysis and interpretation of study results, including outcomes analysis and development of risk prediction models.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, and grant application materials; serve as first or contributing author on peer-reviewed publications.
• Coordinate with internal and external collaborators, including multicenter site investigators, imaging core laboratories, professional societies, and industry partners.
• Provide day-to-day scientific direction to research coordinators, analysts, and trainees assigned to program projects.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD or MD) or foreign equivalent in medicine, biomedical engineering, medical physics, or a closely related field. A master's degree with significant experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience conducting cardiovascular imaging research, including hands-on quantitative analysis of cardiac imaging data.
• Record of peer-reviewed publication in cardiovascular imaging or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and carry research projects through to completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep, hands-on expertise in quantitative echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance analysis, including three-dimensional volumetric quantification of the cardiac chambers, speckle-tracking strain analysis, and quantitative assessment of atrial and right ventricular size, systolic function, and diastolic function.
• Demonstrated responsibility for methodology development within a multicenter or international imaging study.
• Experience performing high-volume, protocol-driven image analysis in a core laboratory or equivalent setting, with documented attention to measurement reproducibility and inter-observer variability.
• Experience validating automated or artificial intelligence-based cardiac image analysis tools against manual reference measurements, including collaboration with software developers or industry partners.
• Research experience in infiltrative or inflammatory cardiomyopathy, particularly cardiac amyloidosis, including imaging-based diagnosis, phenotyping, and association of imaging findings with clinical outcomes.
• Experience with novel image post-processing and display techniques in echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, including advanced three-dimensional rendering, feature-tracking strain analysis, parametric mapping, and quantitative tissue characterization.
• Formal training in clinical research methodology, epidemiology, or biostatistics (e.g., a master’s degree or equivalent), with experience in outcomes analysis and the development or external validation of clinical risk prediction models.
• Proficiency with vendor and research image analysis platforms (e.g., TomTec, EchoPAC, QLAB, or equivalent) and statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, SAS, Stata, or Python).
• Familiarity with multimodality cardiac imaging (CMR, cardiac CT, and/or nuclear imaging) in a research setting, or a demonstrated interest in extending expertise across modalities.
• Experience with IRB protocols, human subjects research regulatory requirements, and clinical research data management.
• Substantial record of first-author peer-reviewed publications and abstracts presented at national or international cardiovascular imaging meetings, together with active engagement in professional imaging societies.
• Experience working within international, multi-institutional research collaborations; proficiency in an additional language is an asset.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job occasionally requires traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.

Benefits

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

Schedule

Initial appointments and reappointments to these positions may be made in increments of one to three years, contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

Location

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.