Faculty of Medicine and Health
School of Medicine
Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
Professor / Clinical Professor in Biomedical Imaging or Radiology
The University of Leeds has a large and expanding portfolio of preclinical and clinical imaging research and
state of the art imaging research facilities. Our peaks of excellence are cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and
cancer research, each with national and internationally leading imaging programmes. Other strong research
areas include renal, neurological and abdominal imaging.
The purpose of the post is to establish a major, internationally competitive research programme that will
complement the areas of current activity within the School of Medicine, as well as contributing (as
appropriate) to the School’s teaching activities. We are seeking to appoint a leader in either
preclinical/experimental imaging or a clinical academic in the field of Radiology or a clinical specialty.
The post holder would ideally align with one of our existing peaks of excellence:
1. Division of Biomedical Imaging in the Leeds Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Medicine with
expertise in clinical cardiac MRI and quantitative MRI, PET/SPECT reconstruction and X-ray
imaging or our emerging research themes in preclinical imaging and hyperpolarised MRI.
2. St. James’s Institute of Oncology with expertise in imaging for radiation oncology and PET-CT imaging
as well as pre-clinical ultrasound.
3. Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit with expertise in MSK MRI and ultrasound.
The post holder will:

Play a leadership and strategic role as part of the School and in the development of an inter-disciplinary
approach to biomedical imaging in Leeds.

Deliver research-led education that contributes to an exceptional student experience.

Deliver top quality research outputs that contribute to impact and innovation.

Take on a significant leadership role in the organisation in education and/or research.
We have an ambitious agenda to increase and strengthen existing research talent within the Faculty of
Medicine and Health and across the University of Leeds more widely, and are seeking highly talented
individuals to join us and make a major contribution towards the realisation of this ambitious plan
The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of
family friendly policies (http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/4/policies). The University is a charter
member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. The School of Medicine gained the Bronze
award in 2013. We are committed to being an inclusive medical school that values all staff, and we
are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from
our employees.
For professorial appointments salary, which is negotiable, will be within the University Professorial range,
minimum £60,512 p.a.
For clinical professorial appointments salary will be on the New Consultant Contract (£75,249 - £101,451
p.a.) depending upon seniority within the consultant contract.
As part of the application process you will be required to upload the following documents:
1. A CV;
2. A supporting statement
Informal enquiries regarding the post should be directed to Professor Sven Plein, telephone: +44 (0)113
343 7758 e-mail: S.Plein@leeds.ac.uk
If you have any specific enquiries about your online application please contact Sue Curry, email
s.e.curry@adm.leeds.ac.uk tel +44(0)113 343 1845
Job Ref: MHLCM1054
Closing date: 13 March 2016
Our Ambition
The University of Leeds is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 universities in the QS World rankings and is
one of the UK’s largest and foremost research-intensive universities. We pride ourselves on our distinctive
ability to integrate research, scholarship and education, and we have ambitious plans to improve further our
standing as a world-class academic institution. The results of the recent Research Excellence Framework
(REF) saw Leeds ranked in 10th place for research power, with the assessment identifying over 80% of our
research activity as top quality at either “world leading” or “internationally excellent” standing.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health (FMH) at Leeds is the largest Faculty within the University with over £135
million annual turnover, equating to 25% of the University total. Our Faculty generates around £70 million in
annual research income and we are proud of our strong teaching partnerships including with Leeds Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust (one of the largest NHS trusts in the country).
We have an ambitious agenda to increase and strengthen existing research talent within the Faculty of
Medicine and Health and across the University of Leeds more widely, and are seeking highly talented
individuals to join us and make a major contribution towards the realisation of this ambitious plan.
Imaging research in Leeds
The University of Leeds has a large and expanding portfolio of preclinical and clinical imaging research and
state of the art imaging research facilities. Our peaks of excellence are cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and
cancer research, each with national and internationally leading imaging programmes. Other strong research
areas include renal, neurological and abdominal imaging.
We collaborate closely with our partner NHS organisation, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which
creates a translational pipeline from preclinical research to patient application and gives our clinical
researchers access to the Trust’s clinical imaging infrastructure.
Current imaging facilities in Leeds include:
a) 9 MRI scanners (6 NHS, 3 dedicated to research, 2 x 3T, 1 x 1.5T).
b) 2 x clinical PET-CT scanners (1 research system funded by NIHR) + 3 x 64-slice CT scanners.
c) State of the art clinical X-ray and ultrasound facilities.
d) Pre-clinical imaging facility at St James University Hospital campus.
e) 4D Fusion ultrasound scanner + 2 x pre-clinical ultrasound systems.
The existing infrastructure will be complemented in 2016 by two new research imaging facilities:
f) A £7m MRC funded National Centre for Hyperpolarised MR in close collaboration with the University of
York (completion date April 2016) to include a 3T MRI scanner with multi-nuclear capability and SABRE
hyperpolarisation equipment.
g) A £5m BHF supported Pre-clinical imaging facility under construction at city campus (completion date
June 2016) to include – 7 T MRI, PET-SPECT-CT, CT, ultrasound and optical imaging.
The role
The purpose of the post is to establish a major, internationally competitive research programme that will
complement the areas of current activity within the School of Medicine, as well as contributing (as
appropriate) to the School’s teaching activities. We are seeking to appoint a leader in either
preclinical/experimental imaging or a clinical academic in the field of Radiology or a clinical specialty.
The post holder would ideally align with one of our existing peaks of excellence:
4. Division of Biomedical Imaging in the Leeds Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Medicine with
expertise in clinical cardiac MRI and quantitative MRI, PET/SPECT reconstruction and X-ray
imaging or our emerging research themes in preclinical imaging and hyperpolarised MRI.
5. St. James’s Institute of Oncology with expertise in imaging for radiation oncology and PET-CT imaging
as well as pre-clinical ultrasound.
6. Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit with expertise in MSK MRI and ultrasound.
The post holder will:




Play a leadership and strategic role as part of the School and in the development of an inter-disciplinary
approach to biomedical imaging in Leeds.
Deliver research-led education that contributes to an exceptional student experience.
Deliver top quality research outputs that contribute to impact and innovation.
Take on a significant leadership role in the organisation in education and/or research.
Potential
There is huge potential for you to build a research programme harnessing the existing state of the art
preclinical and clinical imaging research facilities in Leeds, with excellent collaborative opportunities
particularly in cardiovascular, cancer and musculoskeletal medicine. LICAMM is unique in the UK in its focus
on the cardiovascular effects of metabolic disease and brings together basic scientists, physicists and
clinicians in a single centre. Our cancer researchers work in the internationally recognised Leeds Cancer
Centre, one of the largest providers of cancer care in the UK, supported by the highly regarded treatment,
research and academic activities of St James's Institute of Oncology. Musculoskeletal imaging is organised
in the Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit and its Imaging Centre, which provides a unique
opportunity for tissue characterisation and research development. In collaboration with the University of York
and supported by major internal and MRC investment, we are aiming to take the SABRE method of
hyperpolarised MRI to clinical application, providing a unique opportunity for translational research in this
field.
The Successful Candidate
Potential candidates will have an international research reputation in a field of biomedical imaging, clinical
imaging or Radiology with a significant track record of publication and research grant income.
You will have ambition and vision for developing academic success, delivering academic excellence and a
plan for financial sustainability. You will be responsible for developing a vision for a research intensive
practice that will place the academic and clinical services at the forefront internationally; working
collaboratively to pursue a significant world-renowned portfolio of research. You will also contribute to
University and Trust initiatives for major infrastructure and programmatic funding including NIHR and MRC
Centre bids.
In addition to your international research reputation in biomedical imaging, clinical imaging or Radiology you
will have a significant record of administrative and teaching skills and experience of leading multi-professional
research at internationally excellent standards, as well as effective leadership and change management
skills.
The Clinical Component (if relevant)
For clinical candidates the role will include an honorary consultant contract with Leeds Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust. The clinical component of the role (which maybe in Radiology, Cardiology, Rheumatology or
another relevant medical specialty) will be determined by the successful applicant’s area of clinical expertise,
in negotiation and agreement with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. The Trust has many
accolades, which include it being a regional and national centre for specialist treatment, a world renowned
biomedical research facility, a leading clinical trials research unit and also the local hospital for the Leeds
community. This means the Trust has access to some of the country’s leading clinical expertise and the most
advanced medical technology in the world.
Each year the Trust spends a budget of around £1 billion, providing local and specialist services for an
immediate population of 780,000 and regional specialist care for up to 5.4 million people.
LTHT is one of the largest providers of research opportunities to patients in the country. It receives around
£20 million funding for research and involves more than 12,000 patients in clinical research each year. This
means that patients benefit from some of the most cutting edge and innovative medical procedures in the
world.
Salary
For professorial appointments salary, which is negotiable, will be within the University Professorial range,
minimum £60,512 p.a.
For clinical professorial appointments salary will be on the New Consultant Contract (£75,249 - £101,451
p.a.) depending upon seniority within the consultant contract.
Enquiries
Do you have an established, international-quality research programme in biomedical imaging, clinical
Imaging or Radiology?
Are you interested in being part of our strong team at this exciting time of growth and investment?
Would you like the opportunity to lead and shape biomedical imaging research in Leeds?
If so we would love to hear from you. Please contact:
Professor Sven Plein (telephone +44 (0)113 34 37758 or email s.plein@leeds.ac.uk)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking to appoint a leader in either preclinical/experimental imaging or a clinical academic in
the field of Radiology or a clinical specialty. Mandatory and specific qualifications and/or memberships
to your field of expertise will be clarified at a later stage and therefore the following is an indication of the
requirements to this post.
The general principle is that candidates will be expected to demonstrate appropriate levels of experience and
skill to enable them to achieve the requirements of the job description.

Completion of a period of research training and have obtained a postgraduate research degree
(PhD or MD) in a relevant subject

Completion of higher specialist training (or equivalent)

Member of the relevant Specialist Register

Hold full GMC registration and FRCR/MRCP or equivalent

Fellowship of the Royal College of Medicine (UK) or equivalent to your speciality

Able to demonstrate a high level of clinical experience and competence in own field of expertise

Have a PhD or other doctorate in a relevant discipline or equivalent research experience.

Evidence understanding of the principles of research-led teaching and a track record of integrating
research with learning and teaching to deliver an excellent student experience, and an ability to lead
the development a portfolio of modules.

Demonstrate ability to provide academic leadership in research both by own work and through the
encouragement and stimulation of colleagues.

Demonstrate a track record of sustained delivery of ambitious and imaginative academic leadership.

Evidence an excellent track record of research and publication meeting international standards of
academic excellence, including a significant quantity of 3* and 4* REF equivalent published research.

Show international links and evidence of effective engagement with and influencing national and
international research agendas.

Demonstrate ability to work across subject areas, linking appropriately with other disciplines and
research groups.

Demonstrate a track record of effective team working and collaborative development.

Evidence willingness and capacity to take on a significant role in Faculty/School development.

Demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills.

Demonstrate ability to think laterally, to be imaginative and to anticipate trends and opportunities.

Ability to manage and initiate clinical and translational research independently

Experience of developing clinical trial protocols and translational studies.

Experience of contributions to clinical research, for example through obtaining informed consent
and data collection for patients in clinical trials

Have an understanding of current NHS management and Trusts and be aware of the
responsibilities that a consultant post brings

Experience in training undergraduate medical students and postgraduate doctors