Research Associate Digital Path

Job Summary:

The Flanagan Lab in the Bigg’s Institute at UTHSCSA is seeking a motivated and skilled Research Associate to join a groundbreaking project aimed at developing a federated platform for neuropathological research and diagnostics in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). This innovative initiative is transforming the field by creating a standardized, accessible, and searchable digital repository of neuropathological data to advance our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

Education:

Master’s degree in a specialized field of Neuropathology, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.

Experience:

Four (4) years of experience is required.

Job Duties:

• Collaborate in the augmentation of the Digital Slide Archive (DSA) into a federated platform supporting brain whole slide images (WSIs) for AD/ADRD research.

• Contribute to the development of standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and optimized data-driven diagnostic thresholds.

• Participate in the integration of cohort, dataset, and model training results within a unified project portal.

• Engage in the establishment of WSI metadata standards and the adaptation of software processes.

• Implement administrative best practices including data use agreements and regular software testing.

• Assist in the development of secure research tools and maintain control of WSIs at individual institutions.

• Provide scientific, diagnostic, and didactic applications support from various collaborating institutions.

Qualifications:

• Experience with digital pathology, whole slide imaging, and federated data sharing.

• Proficient in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) analytics in a research setting.

• Familiarity with FAIR data principles and their application in research data management.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality scientific outputs.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience with neurodegenerative disorders research.

• Hands-on experience with the Digital Slide Archive platform or similar digital pathology tools.

• Experience in developing or following standardized operating procedures in a research context.

Interested candidates should submit a CV, a cover letter detailing research experience and interests, and contact information for three references.