Optics Research Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment.

Position Summary

The Research Scientist I in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will support research in Dr. Ashok Veeraraghavan's lab focused on the development of computational microscopy systems for large-scale, high-resolution, high-speed imaging. This position will contribute to the ACCESSPATH project, which aims to develop an affordable, end-to-end system for immediate digital pathology of resected tumors. The Research Scientist I will design, develop, and evaluate microscope hardware and computational imaging methods; develop post-processing, image reconstruction, and AI-based diagnostic algorithms; analyze imaging data; and collaborate closely with the Richards‑Kortum lab and other research partners to advance project milestones. The position will also contribute to publications, presentations, proposal development, and mentorship of junior research team members.

Workplace Requirements

This is a full‑time, exclusively on‑site position that requires all duties to be performed in person at Rice University campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Rate

$80,400 annually. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

This position is a one‑year term‑limited position funded by grant, soft, and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of funding.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or Bioengineering with a focus on optical microscope system design and clinical imaging.
• Two or more (2+) years of postdoctoral research or related experience

Preferences

• Research experience in computational imaging, biomedical imaging, biophotonics, microscopy, optical system design, machine learning, or related areas.
• Experience designing, developing, fabricating, or evaluating microscope hardware or optical imaging systems.
• Experience developing or applying image reconstruction, post‑processing, computer vision, machine learning, or deep learning algorithms.
• Familiarity with clinical imaging workflows, digital pathology, in vivo imaging protocols, or biomedical imaging studies.
• Experience coordinating interdisciplinary research activities or collaborating with clinical, engineering, or translational research teams.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity through publications, presentations, proposals, reports, or related research outputs.
• Experience mentoring graduate students, undergraduate students, or junior research personnel.

Essential Functions

• Designs, develops, fabricates, and evaluates computational microscopy systems for the ACCESSPATH project and related sponsored research activities.
• Develops and optimizes microscope hardware, optical components, imaging workflows, and research prototypes for large-scale, high‑resolution, high‑speed imaging.
• Develops, implements, tests, and refines post‑processing, image reconstruction, computer vision, machine learning, and AI‑based diagnostic algorithms.
• Designs and supports studies to evaluate microscope system performance in clinical imaging, digital pathology, biomedical imaging, or related research settings.
• Collects, processes, analyzes, and interprets imaging data using appropriate experimental, computational, statistical, and machine learning methods.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots optical imaging systems, laboratory equipment, research prototypes, and related computational tools.
• Collaborates closely with the Richards‑Kortum lab, the principal investigator, students, research staff, clinicians, and external partners to complete project goals and milestones.
• Reviews scientific literature and applies relevant findings to advance microscope design, imaging workflows, algorithm development, and study design.
• Prepares manuscripts, technical reports, figures, presentations, and other research materials for publication and dissemination.
• Presents research findings at internal meetings, national and international conferences, and other professional forums.
• Contributes to proposal development, progress reports, and identification of new funding opportunities in collaboration with the principal investigator.
• Mentors and provides technical guidance to graduate students, undergraduate students, and other junior research team members.
• Maintains accurate research records, follows laboratory safety protocols, and supports responsible use and maintenance of laboratory space, equipment, and research data.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Benefits information is available at https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University's Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.