Research Assistant - Department of Ophthalmology

The Department of Ophthalmology at West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for a Research Assistant position.

About the Opportunity

Dr. Joel Palko is an assistant professor in the department of ophthalmology at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. He is a fellowship trained glaucoma surgeon with a wide range of research interests. Dr. Palko's basic science lab focuses on the role of ocular blood flow and ocular biomechanics in diseases such as glaucoma. To this end, Dr. Palko's lab utilizes the latest in high-frequency ultrasound technology (Vevo F2 system) and custom ultrasound localization microscopy and elastography methods to measure ocular blood flow and scleral biomechanics, respectively. The lab is currently NIH funded and is primarily focused on how manipulations of scleral biomechanics and ocular blood flow influence glaucoma disease progression. Dr. Palko also performs research in iris registration, investigating the role ocular diseases and iris shape alter this common identification technique.

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• Paid Time off (PTO)
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks

What You'll Do

• Iris image collection using the TD-100 camera
• Clinical data collection and organization. Each patient enrolled in the study will have demographic (age, sex, race) and clinical ocular information.
• Baseline image analysis and annotation: Iris color, pupil size, light exposure/brightness for all images will be collected.
• Assistance with iris coding/filtering and calculation of Hamming distance before and after iris interventions
• Experimentation using high-frequency ultrasound
• Use and further development of custom Matlab code
• Opportunity for clinical/translational research if desired.
• Preparation of manuscripts
• Document, analyze and present experimental results and discuss findings.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, image analysis or medical related field
• A minimum of 0-6 months experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Strong knowledge/experience of signal/image processing in Matlab
  • Publication writing experience
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong skills with Matlab
• Ability to take initiative on projects and problem-solve
• Attention to detail, strong organization skills
• Ability to write manuscripts for publication
• Ability to manage junior researchers

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.