Working with SRL
Work in our group focuses on developing innovative methodology for multimodality image analysis and on incorporating such methods into clinically relevant applications. As an active and growing research lab, the SRL welcomes people of all backgrounds to join our group.
At SRL, we are the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to medical research. As such, we currently have a strong need for individuals with a degree in or are pursuing a degree in Computer Science or a related field and a strong background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and/or deep learning.
Current Job Openings
Postdoctoral Fellows (2)
Postdoctoral Fellows (2)
The positions will be supported by one of two 5-year NIH R01 grants.
- One position will be supporting the ability to capture accurate body shapes in moving individuals and estimate body composition and other risk factors in ages from birth to 5 years old.
- The second position is in developing novel imaging biomarkers from digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), an emerging 3D x-ray breast cancer screening imaging modality, and Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) imaging, from imaging data curated here in Hawaii on our diverse population.
Both positions will involve computational methodology development and implementation of 3D image pattern analysis, including machine learning approaches to incorporate imaging with non-imaging clinical risk data. In addition, both projects will include applying such methods to large existing or accruing clinical databases unique to Hawaii.
Qualifications
- Highly motivated with excellent academic track-record, including first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Has or in the process of completing, a PhD (or equivalent) in Biomedical, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Physics, or related field
- Background in biomedical image analysis, computer vision, pattern recognition and/or machine learning
- Proficiency in quantitative analytical methods and computer programming (e.g., Python, C/C++) is essential
- Experience with medical image analysis (e.g., MRI, CT, X-ray, Ultrasound) or statistical methods and software packages (e.g., SAS, R) is a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Successful applicants will join a vibrant collaborative research environment and will work closely with clinical investigators. Collaborators include faculty at the UH Cancer Center, the UH Department of Computer Science, as well as partnering institutes on the mainland and abroad.
Apply through the RCUH Jobs Board
- Go to the RCUH Jobs Board.
- Input the position ID ‘221380’ in the Keywords search box. The position titled: SRL Postdoctoral Fellow (Imaging Modalities) – 221380 should come up.
- Click on the position and apply. You may need to create an RCUH account.
- In your cover letter, please make sure to address both your desire to be in our group and to relocate to Hawaii.
General Applications
General Application Instructions
Please email a CV and Cover Letter to Dr. Shepherd at johnshep@hawaii.edu and if a reasonable match is found, you will be asked to come in for an interview.
Graduate Students
For Prospective Students
We are always on the lookout for sharp, motivated, and hard-working students. Hopefully, you have spent some time perusing Dr. Shepherd’s research interests and read a couple of his recent publications. By applying to work with SRL, you will have the opportunity to join a dynamic lab filled with a great group of students and staff working together as a cohesive unit. Quite simply, we play hard and work even harder!
At SRL, we are the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to medical research. As such, we have a strong need for individuals with a degree in or are pursuing a degree in Computer Science or a related field and a strong background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and/or deep learning.
Working with Dr. Shepherd as a Graduate Student
As an advisor, it is my responsibility to provide you with the resources and professional connections (or at least point you in the right direction) needed to ensure that you meet your career goals. I recognize that the needs of graduate students are not all the same. Some students prefer hands-on supervision, others prefer no supervision, while still others (and I would bet most students) fall somewhere between these two extremes. For this reason, I do not supervise all graduate students the same way. Together we will find the right balance. At the end of the day, I strive to make you a complete researcher with the essential skills required for a successful and rewarding career in academia, government, nonprofit, public sector, or wherever you want to be.
I expect you to be hard-working and passionate about your research. You can expect to write grants, publish your work in peer-reviewed journals, create and deliver presentations at local, national, and international meetings, interact with other faculty and graduate students across campus, and have a fun time doing it. Do I expect your graduate research to consume every aspect of your life? Definitely no. Do I expect you to be committed to and excited about your work? Absolutely yes!
Still interested?
Send an email to Dr. Shepherd at johnshep@hawaii.edu, and include the following information:
- Curriculum Vitaé (or Résumé),
- Cover Letter including a summary of research experience and statement of research interests
I hope to hear from you.
Alumni Student Dissertations
Below are some of the dissertations by alumni students. You can also view alumni students and staff on our team page.
- 3-component tomosynthesis breast imaging for improved lesion diagnosis (MBBE, present)
- Simplified 4-compartment model for body composition in athletes (KRS, present)
- Detection of melanoma lesions using deep learning approach (MS, EE, UH Manoa, 2019)
- Tejido Adiposo Visceral (TAV) en Adultos Hispanos y su Relación con Alteraciones Cardiometabólicas (PhD, Nutrition, University of Sonora, Mexico, 2019)
- Developing Measures of Interval Breast Cancer Risk (BioE, UCBerkeley, 2018)
- Advanced Clinical Metabolic Health Assessment Using 3D Optical and Dual Energy X-Ray Imaging (PhD, BioE, UCBerkeley, 2018)
- Development of Three-Compartment Breast Imaging for Clinical Applications in Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (PhD, BioE, UCBerkeley, 2018)
- Measuring Water Content of Body Equivalent Materials using an RF Resonant Cavity (MS, Physics, SF State, 2017)
- Predictive modeling of whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry from 3D optical scans using shape and appearance modeling (MS, Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, 2017)
- The search for advance imaging descriptors of human body shape and their association to diabetes and other metablic disorders, (PhD, BioE, UCBerkeley, 2013)
