Optical Spectroscopy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department Pediatric Gastroenterology

Girish Hiremath, MD MPH

Full-time

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville

The Pediatric Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is an NIH-funded, multidisciplinary, translational research group focused on addressing key diagnostic and prognostic gaps in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) - a chronic and progressive allergic condition of the esophagus affecting approximately 1 in 700 people in the United States and carrying an estimated $3 billion annual economic burden. Our work lies at the intersection of biophotonics, molecular biology, and clinical gastroenterology. Specifically, we are leveraging and integrating Raman spectroscopy (RS), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, transcriptomics, and machine learning to develop novel multimodal markers of disease activity and complications, and treatment response. The program operates in close collaboration with the Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center, spearheaded by Dr. Anita Mahadevan-Jansen and supported by active NIH funding.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join a rigorously designed NIH-supported research program. This is an exceptional opportunity for a scientist seeking hands-on experience spanning optical spectroscopy and imaging, molecular biology, and computational multi-omics data integration in a clinically embedded translational research environment, with direct access to patient biospecimens, state-of-the-art instrumentation (including exceptional support from Vanderbilt cores), and a supportive, high-caliber mentorship. We welcome self-driven and detail-oriented applicants capable of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team consisting of clinicians, engineers, molecular biologists, data scientists, and biostatisticians from either of the following backgrounds: Biophotonics-trained candidates (optics, biomedical engineering, or a related field) with deep interest in extending their skills to transcriptomics, multi-omics integration, and clinical translational research; or Cell/molecular biology-trained candidates with strong wet-lab and bioinformatics skills, a strong foundation in label-free optical imaging techniques (Raman spectroscopy, SRS, SHG).

1. PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, biophotonics/optics, molecular/ cell biology, or a closely related field (completed or near completion)
2. Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following: vibrational spectroscopy (Raman, SRS, SHG, or related optical technique), OR molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, sequencing, differential expression analysis)
3. Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and/or R for image processing, statistical analysis, or machine learning is desired
4. Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated reliability in managing multi-step, time-sensitive laboratory or clinical research workflows
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize and present complex, multimodal data effectively
6. Proven ability to work efficiently and collegially within a multidisciplinary team

1. State-of-the-art instrumentation and a custom-built multimodal nonlinear imaging platform housed at the Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center
2. A well-characterized, growing biorepository of relevant biospecimens paired with rich clinical metadata
3. Access to Vanderbilt's world-class cores for genomics/sequencing (VANTAGE), pathology, digital histology, and quantitative support

1. Immersive, hands-on training and experience across optical spectroscopy, imaging, molecular biology, and computational multi-omic integration within a single translational research program
2. Close mentorship from an independent physician-scientist investigator and highly collaborative co-investigator network across biophotonics, genomics, data science, biostatistics, and pathology
3. Opportunities to contribute to high-impact publications and help lay the foundation for future NIH R01 studies, with strong potential for meaningful authorship and scientific visibility
4. Dedicated support for career progression, including mentored grant-writing experience, guidance on independent funding applications (e.g., K award), opportunities to present at national and international conferences, and individualized mentorship shaped around the fellow's own career aspirations
5. A supportive environment committed to your professional growth and long-term career advancement
6. Competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and NIH postdoctoral pay scales