2009-SNR-ME-PostDoc

Job Title: Medical Robotics Post-doctoral Fellow

• Division/Department: Surgical Navigation and Robotics laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Reports to: Nobuhiko Hata, PhD
• Salary Grade/Band: Based on institutional salary guideline.

• Summary

We are seeking Post-doctoral fellow candidates skilled in designing and fabricating robotic systems.

• Objective

Getting trained in medical robotics research in a highly competitive and multi-disciplinary environment where translational research is highly regarded. Research responsibilities include electrical / mechanical fabrication for medical robotics and devices, and report of them to scientific journals.

• Qualification

The ideal candidate will have a PhD degree in electrical or electromechanical technology with practical hands-on experience in designing and/or machining. A minimum of 2 years experience in a dynamic, hi-tech R&D lab or product development environment is required. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication skills both oral and written. A thorough working knowledge of CAD engineering design software. Foreign applicants is responsible to obtain appropriate working visa latest April 1st, 2009. Earlier start date is a plus. Visa sponsorship is available.

• Detailed qualification
  • Motivated to learn in post-doctoral training program.
  • Ability to design and fabricate prototype devices, and test them in near clinical setting.
  • Ability to clinically apply subset of the R&D device for clinical feasibility study.
  • Ability to report the scientific findings in top class journals.
  • Ability to modify or create mechanical drawings using CAD software
  • Experience with standard laboratory measurement equipment, including multi-meters, tachometers, oscilloscopes, etc.
  • Electrical skills including wiring and soldering
  • Working knowledge of machine shop tools (drill press, lathe, milling machine, band saw, etc.)
  • Ability to equip shop with machining and electronics equipment
  • Ability to purchase and stock materials through the institutional PO system
• Term

One year. Extension of employment is subject to performance review and funding availability. The candidate is responsible for being part of fund raising activity. Clinical dedication is a major plus in review.

• Initial assignment
  • Fabrication and build of an MRI-compatible needle insertion device. The device will be consisting of 3 degree-of-freedom, one for needle insertion and the other two for needle orientations, all driven by piezoelectric actuators. The tasks will require skills of reviewing design drawings, fabrication of mechanical structure out of high-strength engineering plastic e.g. PEEK, and mechanical assembly.
  • Design and build catheters with copper coils. The coils can have different configurations. The task will require evaluating the best design for the coils for obtaining optimal bending in all possible directions. Further work will be to evaluate the performance of the catheter in a 3T MRI scanner.
  • Neurosurgical navigation: Add small electromagnetic sensors to a set of neurosurgical tools to facilitate their tracking using electromagnetic technology in the operating room. This will require soldering the sensors onto the tools and connecting the sensors to shielded cables which connect to a sensor interface unit. The connections must be neat and robust. The tools should then be tested for their tracking accuracy by manufacturing an acrylic calibration block with a set of dimples in known locations, and comparing the measured location of the tool tip from the electromagnetic sensor device with the location of the dimples.