Research Scientist, Machine Learning

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. At UT Southwestern, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development that align with your future goals and help to provide security for you and your family. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more that are all available on the day you start work. UT Southwestern is honored to be a Veteran Friendly work environment that is home to approximately 800 veterans. We value your integrity, dedication, and the commitment you've made to our country. We're proud to support your next mission. Ranked by Forbes as one of the Top 10 National Employers, we invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover teamwork, professionalism, and consistent opportunities for growth.

UT Southwestern established the Department of Biomedical Engineering in 2022 with the mission to drive programmatic integration in biomedical engineering and address emerging clinical and scientific challenges in medicine and biology using innovative technologies. Anchored by outstanding faculty, motivated trainees, and exceptional clinical and engineering infrastructure, we strive to create innovative systems and methods that will play an active role in transforming the current disease care system into a genuine health care enterprise.

The Montillo Lab (www.montillolab.org ), a part of the Biodata Engineering Program of the Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics departments at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas,TX is looking for a full-time research scientist to develop and apply explainable machine learning and foundation models to analyze biomedical data. Our lab's focus is on developing the theory and application of deep learning (DL) and causal modeling to elucidate treatment mechanisms, and to guide prognosis and treatment decisions with applications in neurological disorders and oncology. We develop the theory of DL by improving how models generalize and enabling them to quantify causal relationships rather than merely correlations. Using our experience in developing new DL frameworks to handle sample clustering from repeat measure data, we aim to develop and apply approaches integrating ideas from causal inference and Bayesian DL. In our clinical applications, for example in Parkinson's Disease (PD), deep brain stimulation surgery can be restorative; however, there is no tool to identify who will respond. Based on our success in developing neuroimaging measures that predict PD trajectory, we aim to develop and apply outcome predictive models by fusing neurologists' knowledge with explainable DL and tailoring of multimodal foundation models (FMs). In image guided cancer surgery, the complexity of endoscopy video has meant that the analysis of this rich source of information using traditional learning is inadequate to guide surgery. We aim to develop performant models by combining surgeon knowledge with traditional and contrast-enhanced video.

With cutting-edge computational infrastructure, access to leading cancer surgery experts, and an unparalleled trove of medical images and multi-omic data, our machine learning lab in the BME and bioinformatics departments of a leading university and academic medical center is poised for success in these research endeavors. What we need now are motivated research scientists who are eager to apply their skills, think beyond traditional approaches, and develop bold new applications in biomedical research.
The ideal candidates will have:

• A master's or PhD in computer science, biomedical or electrical engineering, statistics, physics, or any related field providing a firm computational/analytical background.
• Publications demonstrating application of leading methods and/or algorithmic innovation.
• Strong programming ability and experience with machine learning.
• Previous experience in image analysis (e.g. MRI, endoscopy), PEFT for FMs, explainable AI, causal discovery/ inference is advantageous, but not mandatory. Candidates with a strong neuroscience, oncology, or radiology background may be considered if they exhibited a commitment to mastering ML.

Through close collaborations with neurologists, psychiatrists, surgeons, and neuroscientists, our lab offers truly interdisciplinary training: you will work on problems at the cutting edge of machine learning and pathophysiology. We are a dynamic and forward-thinking lab situated at the forefront of two rapidly growing departments committed to an entrepreneurial approach to research, with a flexible work culture and competitive compensation. Additionally, our university provides world-class computational resources (portal.biohpc.swmed.edu ) and research-dedicated high field imaging (utsouthwestern.edu/departments/airc ) so that your efforts are focused solely on scientific development.

• Ph.D. degree with major coursework in field of assignment and five (5) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least two (2) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent. or
• Master's degree with major coursework in field of assignment and seven (7) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least three (3) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent. or
• Bachelor's degree with major coursework in field of assignment and nine (9) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least four (4) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and personally participates in assigned scientific or medical research project. Selects or assists in selection of key research personnel. Determines specific goals or objectives to be attained and assigns and reviews work of subordinates. Plans experimental protocols.
• Reviews and analyzes resulting research data. Revises techniques or approaches to work problems as indicated necessary by research data.
• Compiles, writes, and submits research results to supervisor. Prepares or assists in preparation of research papers, reports, and abstracts for publication as one of co-authors.
• Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.
• Plans and supervises training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures.
• May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers, visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code *51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!