Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Photoacoustic Endoscopy

National Center for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

• Develop and optimize high-speed multi-channel acquisition and real-time beamforming pipelines for 2D axial and 3D volumetric photoacoustic imaging at laser-limited frame rates (20–100 Hz).
• Implement delay-and-sum / filtered back-projection reconstruction, GPU-accelerated volumetric methods, motion correction, denoising, and registration algorithms (MATLAB, CUDA, LabVIEW, Python).
• Integrate and characterize ring-array sensors (custom Blatek piezo-composite or ScAlN PMUT), optical excitation modules, and flexible endoscopic packaging.
• Optimize laser–array–DAQ synchronization, acoustic coupling, and optical–acoustic overlap to achieve target performance (≥5–8 mm depth, ~60–120 µm axial / 100–200 µm lateral resolution, high SNR for targeted contrast).
• Collaborate with optics, MEMS, AI, gastroenterology, and pathology teams on system prototyping, preclinical validation (e.g., mouse adenoma models with HER2-targeted agents), publications, and translational development.

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Strong background in photoacoustic imaging, biomedical optics, computational imaging, or high-speed multi-channel acquisition systems.
• Experience with ultrasound/acoustic array sensors, beamforming, volumetric reconstruction, and GPU-accelerated computing.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, CUDA, LabVIEW, Python, or FPGA platforms.
• Hands-on experience with fiber-coupled optical systems, hybrid optical–acoustic instrumentation, system integration, data acquisition, and quantitative image analysis (motion correction, denoising, 3D visualization) is highly desirable.

The University of Michigan is an ideal training ground for postdocs who want to further develop their skills in pursuit of a career in academia or industry.

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience and in compliance with NIH guidelines.

The Wang Laboratory is located in the Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB) on the University of Michigan medical campus.

The laboratory is equipped with 4 optical tables that contain a variety of mounts, positioners, and stages for development of prototype flexible fiber-coupled endomicroscopes located in 3 laboratory modules ~450 sq ft in size.

A wide range of equipment, including function generators, spectrometer, laser beam profiler, optical spectrum analyzer, oscilloscopes, photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors, and power supplies are available for use.

Software, including Zemax, Solid Works, Matlab, and Labview, is used to perform optical and mechanical simulations and data acquisition.

Light sources include Spectra-Physics Deep See and Insight X3 femtosecond lasers, Edgewave diode pumped Q-switched Nd-YAG laser, Opotek Phocus laser with optical parametric oscillator (OPO), and a number of solid state lasers with excitation over the visible and NIR spectrum.

Imaging systems available include Endra Nexus 128 photoacoustic tomography, LI-COR Pearl Trilogy NIR fluorescence, Ultrasonix ultrasound imaging system, and Olympus FV1000

MPE twin multi-photon microscope.

This modern biomedical optics research facility is conveniently located near the Lurie Nano Fabrication (LNF) facility, a state of the art microfabrication facility for development of miniature scan mechanisms and the Michigan Medicine Medical Procedures Unit (MPU) where the fiber-coupled endomicroscopes are clinically translated.

Candidates should submit CV and contact information by email to

Professor of Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering

H. Marvin Pollard Legacy Professor of Endoscopy Research

Director, National Center for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

University of Michigan

109 Zina Pitcher Pl. BSRB 1522