Digital Pathology AI Scientist (XR07)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) is a £50m programme funded by the UK Industry Strategy Challenge Fund to accelerate the development of opportunities in Digital Pathology and Artificial Intelligence and provides a comprehensive range of scientific and technical services to the Trust and external organisations.

The NPIC programme is expanding to create a team of post-doctoral scientists specialising in Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. The team will undertake and facilitate Digital Pathology research across the NPIC programme with academic and industry partners. Candidates would preferably have a doctorate, or be close to completion of their PhD in a relevant discipline or be able to show clear relevant experience and expertise. Flexibility will be considered for applicants in the final stage of their PhD.

To succeed in this role, the post holder will need in depth knowledge and skills in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence applied to healthcare. Successful applicants will build, deploy and evaluate existing software tools in both research and clinical settings.

The post holder will be required to keep up to date with existing research trends and methodologies, and have the flexibility to react to external factors that may steer the direction of current research activity. The ability to manage workloads to support existing research projects as well as undertaking independent research is essential.

This role requires an individual who is driven, ambitious and passionate about improving patient care through the use of cutting-edge technology. The job holder will use experience and judgement to evaluate complex requirements and implement solutions that are consistent with the overall aims of the Programme.

3. ORGANISATIONAL CHART

The Digital Pathology AI Scientist role will fulfil a critical role in providing a collaborative link between technical deployment and research activities in the NPIC Programme.

4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

4.1. Professional / Clinical responsibilities

4.1.1 Provide scientific support to Clinical Scientific Computing activities across the Programme, working closely with clinical, technical, academic and industry colleagues as required.

4.1.2 Support effective and efficient adoption of digital health technologies, including clinical translation of tools developed within the NPIC Digital Pathology environment, in a way that is compliant with relevant regulations, standards and guidance.

4.1.3 When required, develop bespoke software and hardware solutions for specific clinical settings in a way that is safe, legally compliant and effective, for example using open-source software within an appropriate framework.

4.1.4 Within the NPIC Programme, support and when required, lead the development of software and hardware solutions for data acquisition and analysis, including equipment interfacing, connectivity and transfer of functionality and data from legacy systems. Improve databases, systems and processes within Digital Pathology for recording and analysis of data of all types (clinical and operational).

4.1.5 Ability to quickly assess and priorities troubleshooting for faults, which may be complex, non-reproducible and subtle, on highly complex information systems and make decisions on whether faults require immediate remedial action. Work and liaise with manufacturers engineering and technical staff to identify and rectify faults to minimise system down time.

4.1.6 Provide support for the procurement of relevant hardware and software and associated site requirements. Support strategic planning for new technologies based on understanding of clinical need, technology and standards. Clinical Scientific Computing.

4.2. Management and Leadership

4.2.1 Prioritise and plan own work in accordance with Departmental and Trust priorities and external demands, adapting as required to the complex developments and demands of an unpredictable work pattern which may require the change or adjustment of existing plans to overcome.

4.2.2 Meet expected results by using own initiative, following precedent, occupational policies and applicable regulations, standards and guidelines. Participate in scientific and service development projects involving changes to practices.

4.2.3 Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.

4.2.4 Provide written work-place procedures and documentation as required.

4.2.5 Prepare applications to Local Research Ethics Committees and NHS research governance processes.

4.2.6 Supervise research activity and report-writing of students and trainees.

4.3 Education & Professional Development.

4.3.1 Deliver presentations and training materials for peers and students both within and external to the NPIC team.

4.3.2 Supervise individual student research projects.

4.3.3 Engage in local and national R&D programmes in collaboration with NPIC partners and external organisations, to meet strategic objectives of the Programme and to support the translation of research findings into clinical practice.

4.3.4 Assist other members of the NPIC team (including students) to undertake research work involving Clinical Scientific Computing. Assist with the development of protocols and with the acquisition of data. Help to ensure that such work is carried out safely, ethically and according to local and national policies and regulations.

4.3.5 Ensure dissemination of R&D results. Publish and present scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.

4.4 Professional

4.4.1 Keep abreast of the latest technical and scientific developments and their applications in medical and associated fields. Attend suitable seminars, courses and scientific and medical meetings as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department and Trust.

4.4.2 Ensure all activities meet regulatory requirements.

4.5 Miscellaneous

4.5.1 Work hours necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the work. In practice, the postholder will occasionally be required to perform duties outside the normal working hours of the department.

4.5.2 Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.

4.5.3 When working in other departments, the postholder will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices. The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided.

4.5.4 Take necessary precautions when working in hazardous environments, including high performance computing and histochemical equipment.

4.5.5 Perform other appropriate duties, which may be required from time to time by the Head of Section

Person Specification

practical skills or Additional Requirements

Essential

• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods [e.g., debugging software

Experience

Essential

• Basic knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices in Clinical Scientific Computing, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Specialist training and practical experience in Clinical Scientific Computing
• Experience of software engineering and the software development life cycle, including issue tracking, testing, documentation, version control and continuous integration.
• Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence

Desirable

• Some knowledge of high-level languages used in data science, such as Python, R, Julia, Java, or C++, and ability to acquire knowledge of new languages and platforms.

Qualifications

Essential

• Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject Relevant MSc or higher degree

Desirable

• Completion of PhD specific to Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Able to communicate highly complex information [e.g., postgraduate level computing material to other professional groups]
• Able to train groups of other professional staff Able to deliver teaching and training on complex subjects
• Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)