Senior Scientist (Dr Balchandani's Lab) - Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Institute

About the role

The Senior Scientist will provide scientific and technical leadership for a multidisciplinary clinical research program focused on improving localization of the epileptogenic zone in drug-resistant epilepsy using advanced multimodal MRI techniques. This role centers on integrating magnetic resonance elastography, diffusion-weighted imaging, arterial spin labeling, and high-field MRI (3T/7T) with clinical, electrophysiologic, and histopathological data to identify novel imaging biomarkers associated with astrogliosis, tissue biomechanics, and cerebral perfusion.

The Senior Scientist will drive study design, oversee execution of complex imaging protocols, and lead translational efforts aimed at enhancing surgical planning and patient outcomes. This individual will collaborate with clinicians, imaging scientists, and data analysts, contributing innovative approaches and maintaining high productivity in a collaborative research environment. The role also involves mentoring and training graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff.

Responsibilities

• Designs and leads complex clinical imaging studies to develop and evaluate advanced MR imaging techniques for applications in neurological diseases.
• Develops and optimizes multimodal MRI protocols (including 3T and 7T structural imaging, DWI, MRE, 4D flow, and ASL) for quantitative assessment of brain stiffness, microstructure, viscoelastic properties, and cerebral blood flow.
• Investigates the relationship between quantitative neuroimaging MR measures.
• Establishes diagnostic thresholds and validation frameworks for imaging-based identification of neurological abnormalities.
• Analyzes and interprets multimodal imaging datasets alongside electrophysiologic, clinical, and histopathological data to identify disease-specific biomarkers.
• Develops hypotheses and analytical methodologies to evaluate links between imaging biomarkers and clinical outcomes.
• Leads dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and scientific seminars.
• Assists with, prepares, and submits competitive research proposals to secure funding for ongoing and future studies in advanced neuroimaging.
• Collaborates with neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, and bioengineering teams to translate imaging advances into clinical applications for diagnostic or treatment planning.
• May supervise graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff, providing mentorship in imaging science and clinical research methodologies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in sciences or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience with scientific investigation.
• Demonstrated outstanding achievement in MRI research.
• Contributed to peer-reviewed publications, inventions, or similar, with at least some having a major impact on advancing the field.
• Prior experience successfully securing external grant funding is highly desirable.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience in high and ultra-high field MR imaging (3T, 7T) of the brain.
• Demonstrated experience in MRI pulse sequence programming, preferably Siemens IDEA.
• Demonstrated experience in MRI reconstruction and quantitative parameter mapping.
• Programming skills in MATLAB, Python, and other relevant neuroimaging processing software (FSL, Freesurfer, MRtrix, SPM, etc.).
• Ability to communicate research to the public and collaborators.
• Experience in any subset of: MR elastography, diffusion MRI, high-resolution structural MRI, perfusion MRI, or cerebral blood/CSF flow MRI.
• Image reconstruction.

About the employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, over 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people by tackling complex health care challenges through discovery, innovation, and education.

The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians, 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers, and over 30 affiliated community health centers. Mount Sinai is consistently ranked among the top hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, including high "Honor Roll" status, and is highly ranked in specialties such as Geriatrics, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and more.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $58,661 - $131,588.09 annually. Actual salaries depend on experience, education, and operational need. The range does not include bonuses, incentive pay, or other forms of compensation or benefits.