Research Associate in Optical Image Guided Neurosurgery

Location: South Kensington Campus

About the role:

Applicants are invited to apply for a new vacancy at Research Associate level in Surgical Multispectral Imaging, funded by a Research and Partnership Health Technology Hub. The Optical and Acoustic Imaging for Surgical and Interventional Sciences (OASIS), awarded to Imperial College London, UCL and the University of Cambridge, will enable better coordination of clinical research projects in multispectral imaging, and will develop low-cost, portable devices to detect the earliest signs of cancer.

The OASIS hub is being funded by a grant of £11million from the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, which will be split between the collaborating institutions. The project also has substantial funding promised from industry and support from the NHS.

This six-year award will bring Imperial’s scientists, engineers and clinicians together to tackle the intrasurgical detection, diagnosis and characterisation of cancer. The post is based within the Hamlyn Centre, Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London and the appointed applicant will carry out research and teaching at the Centre’s South Kensington and St Mary’s Hospital locations, with clinical translation happening at Charing Cross Hospital. The Hamlyn Centre is dedicated to developing safe, effective and accessible imaging, sensing and robotics technologies that can reshape the future of healthcare for both developing and developed countries. The Hamlyn Centre is part of the Institute of Global Health Innovation and is supported by two stake-holding departments, Mechanical Engineering, and Surgery & Cancer.

What you would be doing:

The post will support the multispectral imaging theme of the Hub award, and you will be expected to play a key role in developing and translating technologies such as multispectral and polarization-resolved imaging into the operating theatre. You will receive guidance from a supervisory team including engineering support from Professor Daniel Elson, and clinical expertise from Mr Christopher Peters and Mr Daniel Leff. The theme is further supported by Clinical Research Fellows who will assist in collecting and analysing human data, evaluating the potential of these technologies to improve outcomes after surgery.

You will also be able to benefit from the other research projects ongoing within the Hamlyn Centre, for instance the large EPSRC funded ROBOGAST, as well as an MRC DPFS grant that aims to apply microconfocal endoscopy in neurosurgery. You will be a key member within the OASIS team of engineers, scientists and clinicians drawn from multiple departments of Imperial College, the NHS, and our partner institutions of Cambridge and UCL.

What we are looking for:

You will hold a PhD in Optical Imaging/Physics, Biophotonics, Medical Imaging, Image Guided Intervention or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience. Experience of working with clinical partners would be useful, and you should also have a creative approach to research projects and exceptional problem-solving skills. Communication and scientific writing skills are also required to ensure the widest impact of the work. You will also be committed to championing the ‘Imperial Expectations’.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

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