Research Assistant Professor (Ai-O) - Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Hiring Department: Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Location: 1855 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL 60612

Requisition ID: 1027552

Posting Close Date: 10/25/24

For full consideration, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information of three references by October 11, 2024:

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Description:

Position Summary
The Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology (Ai-O) Center at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary is a pioneering research center focused on advancing AI technologies for ophthalmic care. As a part of UIC's Department of Ophthalmology, we bring together clinicians, researchers, and AI experts to drive innovation in ophthalmic diagnostics, treatment, and data science. Our mission is to develop human-centric AI systems that provide clinical insights while maintaining robust ethical standards.

We are seeking a Research Assistant Professor with a specialization in computer vision and ophthalmic AI. This individual will engage in cutting-edge research, mentor graduate students and postdocs, secure external research funding, and lead departmental initiatives around AI and data infrastructure. The candidate will work closely with the faculty at the Ai-O Center, collaborate across disciplines, and foster industry partnerships to advance the application of computer vision in ophthalmology.

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead and conduct novel research in computer vision applied to ophthalmic imaging, disease prediction, and diagnostics.

Mentor and supervise graduate students, postdocs, and junior researchers in AI-driven ophthalmology projects.

Develop grant proposals and secure funding from federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners.

Spearhead AI and data infrastructure initiatives for the department, including the establishment of data pipelines and cloud-based research platforms.

Collaborate with clinicians, visual science researchers, and AI experts to create and implement practical AI tools in ophthalmology.

Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, presentations at conferences, and departmental seminars.

Engage with industry and global academic collaborators to translate research into clinical applications.

Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Data Science, or related quantitative fields.
• Proven research expertise in computer vision, deep learning, or AI applications in healthcare, ideally focused on ophthalmology.
• A strong publication record in high-impact journals or conferences.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing research projects, mentoring students, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with medical imaging, especially in ophthalmic modalities (e.g., OCT, fundus photography).
• Experience with ophthalmic diseases, such as Glaucoma or Retinopathy.
• Knowledge of clinical workflows and familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and mentorship.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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