Post-Doctoral Research Assistant UOD1339

We are recruiting for a PDRA. This position is for 12months.

The successful candidate will be involved in the following tasks: 1) identifying the essential steps and techniques of laparoscopic suturing through a dedicated study, aiming to define a refined set of steps with a specific focus on when, why, and how real-time feedback would be necessary by achieving a consensus of our Expert Panel (EP); 2) systematically recording videos of approximately 20 trainee and 10 expert surgeon performances in a full laparoscopic suturing exercise using standard laparoscopy training boxes in the surgical skills training centre in Dundee; 3) extracting instrument trajectories and labelling their segments according to the skill levels assigned to the procedures in the videos using an established algorithm. These trajectories will be utilised with machine learning algorithms to develop our AI for detecting movements, identifying skill levels, and deciding on which expert video to demonstrate as feedback when an unskilled-type movement is detected; 4) assessing the performances of 10 expert and 20 novice surgeons, evaluated in agreement by two experts; 5) collecting systematic feedback through qualitative interviews and quantified questionnaires after each user study; 6) utilising questionnaires and interviews for both early and late versions to validate the effectiveness and usefulness of the system for training; 7) collaborating with the team at Heriot-Watt University on various tasks within the same project.

Your priorities will include:

• Play a lead role in establishing the research project.
• Undertake a broad range of research on artificial intelligence (AI) base platform for laparoscopic surgery training.
• Perform bench research related to the major goals of the project.
• Present their work internally within the department and externally with collaborators or at national/international scientific meetings.
• Be able to assist members of the group or people working on collaborative projects to become familiar with new methodologies and to act as a source of information, providing training to colleagues when needed.

Who we’re looking for:

• PhD in a surgery, or medical education, or AI subject is required.
• Major contribution to at least one paper in a peer-reviewed publication.
• Quantitative analytical skills including statistical analysis are required.

The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.

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