University College London
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – Big Data
analysis and clinical translation in cancer imaging
Department:
Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Subsection:
Translational Imaging Group
Reports to:
Prof. Sebastien Ourselin, line managed by Dr. Jorge Cardoso
Salary:
Grade 7 £33,353 - £40,313 per annum
Grade 8 £41,430 – 48,873 per annum
(this post is available for 24 months in the first instance)
Project Title:
Big-data analysis and clinical translation in cancer imaging
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic researcher with skills in scientific
computing and large scale data analysis to join an internationally leading university
research group. The aim of the project is to have an active role in the development
and translation of an image analysis and data mining platform to cancer imaging.
Main purpose of the job:
The goal of this 2-year EPSRC-CRUK funded translational project is to
demonstrate the feasibility, robustness, and clinical value of automated image
analysis approaches on clinically relevant and state-of-the-art oncology data. This
position specifically aims at developing fully automated image analysis algorithms
for highly multimodal imaging data, with an initial application to prostate cancer.
The applicant will also be responsible for the translation of our current XNAT
platform to cancer imaging, bridging the gap between algorithm developers and
end users and thus enhancing the translation of medical image analysis techniques
to clinical practice.
The post holder will be employed within the Translational Imaging Group with
strong interactions between various clinical partners, especially at the UCL Centre
for Medical Imaging (CMI) based within University Collge Hospital (UCH) Radiology
Department.
Person Requirements:
The successful candidate will have a PhD in at least one of the following: medical
informatics, medical image computing, medical physics, scientific computing or a
closely related field. They will be able to demonstrate good mathematical,
algorithmic and software development skills. They will also be able to demonstrate
strong experience in C/C++ programming and python. Knowledge and experience
in high-performance computing platforms, database management and ‘Big-data’ is
highly advantageous.
Key responsibilities and outcomes:
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To prototype and develop a novel set of methodological solutions for
automated cancer image analysis.
To learn the NifTK software architecture with its dependencies, especially
the Common ToolKit (CTK) libraries and its command line and scripting
interface, and its use for delivering clinically applicable algorithms.
To become familiar with the standard radiological digital infrastructure
(Picture Archive and Communication System) and its automation.
To assist in creating a large cancer-imaging database derived from
radiological data.
To optimise, translate and/or implement prototyped algorithms for cancer
image pre-processing and analysis, with a special focus on prostate cancer,
within a clinical environment.
To carry out large-scale evaluations, with the aid of the deployed image
database, of the prototyped algorithms so as to quantify performance for
optimisation.
To participate in the full software lifecycle as part of a small team of
developers, and to implement software to the required medical standards.
To provide comprehensive testing (unit tests, integration tests etc.) for
delivered code.
To maintain accurate and up-to date technical and user documentation of
the delivered software.
To attend regular project meetings and training courses for professional and
personal development as required.
To prepare and present full and regular accounts of progress to colleagues
and line managers.
To actively contribute to the overall activities of the project team and
department as required.
To contribute to the induction and direction of other staff and students as
requested.
To carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of
the job as requested by the line manager or Head of Department.
To actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race
Equality policies.
To maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety
Regulations.
To maintain an awareness and observation of ethical rules and legislation
governing the storage of medical data.
To maintain an awareness and observation of confidentiality agreements
with collaborators and external organizations.
To maintain an awareness and observation of appropriate procedures for
the disclosure and protection of inventions and other intellectual property
generated as part of the post holder’s activities and those of other team
members working within the project.
To act with professionalism and efficiency when interacting with colleagues
within the project team as well as with external consultants and
collaborators.
As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed
and amended in consultation with the post holder.
University College London
PERSON SPECIFICATION
This is a specification of the qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge and
abilities that are required to effectively carry out the responsibilities of the post (as
outlined in the job description) and forms the basis for selecting a candidate.
Job Title: Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – Big Data
analysis and clinical translation in cancer imaging
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge, Education, Qualifications
and Training
2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in
Computer Science, Engineering, Physics,
Mathematics or a related subject.
Postgraduate degree (PhD, or equivalent),
or equivalent industrial experience, in
medical informatics, medical image
computing, medical physics, scientific
computing or a closely related field including
numerical optimisation.
***
***
Skills and/or Abilities
Ability to work effectively within a
collaborative software development
environment with people from a variety of
backgrounds.
***
Excellent written and spoken communication ***
skills in English.
Strong problem solving abilities.
***
Ability to work on own initiative, with minimal
supervision.
***
Ability to successfully manage tasks to a
deadline and to work calmly under pressure. ***
Strong problem solving abilities/capable of ***
thinking ‘outside of the box’.
Strong software/systems engineering skills
(including modern techniques for designing
and testing software components and
software-hardware interfaces).
***
High level of proficiency in computer
programming using C/C++.
***
High level of proficiency in scripting
languages, preferably python.
***
Proficiency in database management and
web service technologies.
***
Proficiency in mathematics.
***
Proficiency in numerical optimisation.
***
Knowledge of version control using software
such as SVN, Git.
Experience
***
Practical experience of algorithm and
software development for scientific
computing.
***
Demonstrable experience of C++ software
development within a team, delivering more
than just personal research code; eg. opensource projects or product development.
***
Experience of supervising PhD students
(grade 8 post).
***
A good publication record in peer reviewed
publications.
***
Significant experience in the field (grade 8
post)
***
Other requirements
Interest in medical image processing
***