Job summary
University College London Hospitals is seeking to appoint a full-time (12 month) post-doctoral research associate computer scientist in haematology and infectious diseases to work on a project to investigate the diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Main duties of the job
The project will use a medical image analysis and data science approach to develop a multimodal risk score combining radiology, clinical parameters, microbiology information and outcomes etc) to detect the likelihood of fungal lung infection in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Tools available to the researcher will include a fully integrated electronic health record system (EHRS), known as EPIC, imaging data from the UCLH Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and computer resources within the Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC) at UCL.
The project will be jointly supervised by Dr Andrew Wilson (Haematology Consultant), Dr Neil Stone (Infectious Diseases Consultant) and Dr Joseph Jacob (UCL Respiratory and CMIC) and is fully funded by a research grant from Gilead. The successful candidate will be fully integrated into the Satsuma Laboratory run by Dr Jacob at CMIC.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
This is a full-time post funded for 12 months and is entirely clinical research based. Training will be given in data science and familiarisation with the UCLH EHRS (EPIC), where required, and the PDRA will work within a larger team of computer scientists and clinicians to achieve the projects objectives. Outputs from this project will be disseminated at relevant national and international meetings and written up for publication in relevant peer reviewed journals.
The first component of the project will be computational image analysis and/or segmentation of relevant CT imaging, in AML patients with lung disease/infections. Subsequent to this, the fellow will work with the clinical team to understand current pathways for infection diagnosis and help establish a risk prediction tool to identify a likelihood of a patient having a fungal infection. Specific project milestones will be discussed and agreed with the fellow at the start of the post and regularly reviewed thereafter.
Person specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
A completed PhD, in the field of medical image computing, machine learning or related imaging field. Experience of working in one or more of the following areas: computational lung imaging, machine learning, medical image analysis and image registration. Experience in scientific programming using Matlab, C, C++, Java or another widely used high-level programming language. A demonstrable record of publications and presentations at scientific meetings.
Specific requirements
Experience in applying machine learning (such as random forests, deep neural networks) and deep learning techniques in lung image analysis.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
This is a full-time post funded for 12 months and is entirely clinical research based. Training will be given in data science and familiarisation with the UCLH EHRS (EPIC), where required, and the PDRA will work within a larger team of computer scientists and clinicians to achieve the projects objectives. Outputs from this project will be disseminated at relevant national and international meetings and written up for publication in relevant peer reviewed journals.
The first component of the project will be computational image analysis and/or segmentation of relevant CT imaging, in AML patients with lung disease/infections. Subsequent to this, the fellow will work with the clinical team to understand current pathways for infection diagnosis and help establish a risk prediction tool to identify a likelihood of a patient having a fungal infection. Specific project milestones will be discussed and agreed with the fellow at the start of the post and regularly reviewed thereafter.
Person specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
A completed PhD, in the field of medical image computing, machine learning or related imaging field. Experience of working in one or more of the following areas: computational lung imaging, machine learning, medical image analysis and image registration. Experience in scientific programming using Matlab, C, C++, Java or another widely used high-level programming language. A demonstrable record of publications and presentations at scientific meetings.
Specific requirements
Experience in applying machine learning (such as random forests, deep neural networks) and deep learning techniques in lung image analysis.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- A completed PhD, in the field of medical image computing, machine learning or related imaging field.
- Experience of working in one or more of the following areas: computational imaging, machine learning, medical image analysis and image registration.
- Experience in scientific programming using Matlab, C, C++, Java or another widely used high-level programming language.
- Experience of working in lung image analysis.
- A demonstrable record of publications and presentations at scientific meetings
- Experience in applying machine learning (such as random forests, deep neural networks) and deep learning techniques in lung image analysis
Desirable
- Experience of working within a clinical environment or closely with medical staff.
- An awareness of ethical issues associated with the acquisition and analysis of medical images.
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to devise innovative solutions to real-world problems, as well as the application of knowledge and scientific methodology, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
- Ability to present to specialist scientific audiences both orally and in writing.
- Research skills (theoretical and empirical, planning and documentary).
- Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
- Ability to develop implemented tools in high-level programming languages.
- Ability to work to deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy and an eye for detail.
- Ability to communicate effectively with peers, to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, exercise judgement, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities of research.
- Good problem-solving skills and highly self-motivated.
Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to high quality research.
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team.
- Commitment to academic research and demonstrable aptitude for research.
- Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Commitment to UCL's policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds.
Person Specification
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- A completed PhD, in the field of medical image computing, machine learning or related imaging field.
- Experience of working in one or more of the following areas: computational imaging, machine learning, medical image analysis and image registration.
- Experience in scientific programming using Matlab, C, C++, Java or another widely used high-level programming language.
- Experience of working in lung image analysis.
- A demonstrable record of publications and presentations at scientific meetings
- Experience in applying machine learning (such as random forests, deep neural networks) and deep learning techniques in lung image analysis
Desirable
- Experience of working within a clinical environment or closely with medical staff.
- An awareness of ethical issues associated with the acquisition and analysis of medical images.
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to devise innovative solutions to real-world problems, as well as the application of knowledge and scientific methodology, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
- Ability to present to specialist scientific audiences both orally and in writing.
- Research skills (theoretical and empirical, planning and documentary).
- Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
- Ability to develop implemented tools in high-level programming languages.
- Ability to work to deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy and an eye for detail.
- Ability to communicate effectively with peers, to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, exercise judgement, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities of research.
- Good problem-solving skills and highly self-motivated.
Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to high quality research.
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team.
- Commitment to academic research and demonstrable aptitude for research.
- Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Commitment to UCL's policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
