Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

The Applegate Laboratory at the University of Southern California is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join an interdisciplinary research team developing next-generation optical technologies for imaging the living human inner ear. This project combines biomedical optics, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrafast lasers, image-guided surgery, and otology to address one of the most significant unmet needs in hearing research and clinical care.

Inner ear disorders such as Meniere's disease affect millions of people worldwide, causing hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. Despite advances in medical imaging, clinicians currently lack a method for directly visualizing the microscopic anatomy and function of the living human cochlea. MRI and CT remain the clinical standards but lack the spatial resolution needed to resolve cochlear microstructure or assess its biomechanics. OCT has emerged as a powerful alternative, capable of imaging cochlear anatomy with micrometer-scale resolution while simultaneously measuring sound-evoked vibrations, blood flow, and other functional biomarkers. Although OCT has been successfully demonstrated in animal models, translation to humans has been limited by the thickness of the human otic capsule, which exceeds the optical penetration depth of OCT.

Our laboratory is developing a novel solution that combines OCT with image-guided two-photon laser ablation to precisely thin the otic capsule through the ear canal, enabling high-resolution imaging of the cochlea without open surgery or manipulation of the eardrum. Preliminary studies in porcine temporal bones demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, opening the possibility of structural and functional imaging of the human inner ear for the first time.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of advanced OCT instrumentation, ultrafast laser systems, image-guided ablation methods, and experimental validation in ex vivo and in vivo models. Opportunities also exist to participate in translational efforts aimed at commercializing these technologies and moving them toward clinical application.

Applicants should have a PhD in biomedical engineering, optics, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field. Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: optical system design, OCT, microscopy, laser-tissue interactions, ultrafast lasers, image processing, optical instrumentation, programming (MATLAB, Python, or C++), or biomedical imaging. Candidates with strong experimental skills and an interest in translating fundamental engineering advances into clinical technologies are especially encouraged to apply.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment alongside engineers, physicists, otolaryngologists, and clinician-scientists while developing technologies that have the potential to fundamentally transform the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.

The annual base salary range for this position is $70,304 - $71,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.