Senior Research Fellow in Biomedical Optics

Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory

The Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory (BORL) within the Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering at UCL is internationally recognized for developing optical methods for biological applications, including NIRS, optical imaging and photo-acoustic. The laboratory has a substantial skill base in physics, engineering, mathematical modelling and the development of optical systems. A significant strength of the BORL is the translation of laboratory-based research into reliable and robust systems which are being used to address a wide range of basic science and clinical questions. This job will be within Prof. Tachtsidis MultiModal Spectroscopy group within BORL, one of the largest groups in NIRS technology development and application in the UK.

About the role

The post holder will join the programme of instrumentation, optical sensing devices development, computational modelling and software development for data analytics within Prof. Tachtsidis group. This job will focus on the new development needed for an exciting and innovative project recently awarded by Wellcome Leap, led by Dr Subhabrata Mitra in UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health and co-led by Prof Ilias Tachtsidis. The work will involve development of optical Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) instrumentation, modelling of light tissue diffusion and software development for system operation and data analytics. The research focus will be in (i)the development of NIRS methods and instrumentation in the neonatal unit to monitor maternal, foetal and newborn health; (ii)implementation and use of light tissue diffusion models based on Monte Carlo approaches to explore concepts such as light depth penetration and develop virtual NIRS instruments; (iii)implementation of data analytics to inform and support translation of data to clinical information; and (iv)support in the laboratory and in the hospital testing.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To undertake biomedical optics research, instrumentation and software development as stated in the Main Role Description.
• To prepare and present technical developments and reports to colleagues, interested parties and at appropriate conferences.
• To contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to appropriate peer reviewed journals, and of drafting research bids and proposals etc.

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months until 30/09/2024 in the first instance on the basis of a 1st October 2023 start date. We expect the project to continue until 30-Sep-26, if the required milestones are achieved. Appointment is at Grade 8, £48,614 to £49,937 per annum including London Allowance (dependent on meeting the specific essential criteria for Grade 8 as listed in the person specification) OR Grade 7, £39,508 to £47,355 per annum including London Allowance (dependent upon having been awarded a PhD) or if about to submit a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (£35,702 - £37,548 per annum inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

About you

The ideal candidate should have a PhD or equivalent experience in engineering, physics or a related subject; Knowledge of Biomedical Optics and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.; Experience in the development of optical instrumentation.; Experience in software development for system operation and analytics.; Experience in programming (such as MatLab, LabView, C++, Python); Experience in writing and publishing scientific articles. For more information about this role, including contact details and staff benefits, click apply to see the main job advert.

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