Research Fellow in lung function mapping with advanced MRI methods

Job Description

Research Fellow in lung function mapping with advanced MRI methods: Grade: 7 (£ 47,186 - £49,653 Inclusive of London Allowance)

Department: Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering: Location: UCL London Campus and collaborating sites

Reports to

Principal Research Fellow Dr Mina Kim

Context

Our project is focused on development of novel MRI methods that can identify and track chronic lung diseases (CLD). It is anticipated that these methods will be safe and practical for use in clinical settings.

The project is part of a multidisciplinary collaboration between national and international academic institutions. Additionally, the collaboration extends to industry partners, and a patient representative group from Cystic Fibrosis Trust, ensuring the seamless integration of patient needs into the research studies. This position is funded for 24 months.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in medical physics, bioengineering, or a related field, with a keen interest in applying their skills to detection of CLD. You will be part of a dynamic team working on developing practical, cost-effective MRI methods, including novel image acquisition, image postprocessing and evaluating the performance of the cutting-edge methods in clinical settings.

This role is hybrid, with at least 80% on-site attendance and up to 20% remote working.

Applications should include a CV and a Cover Letter: In the Cover Letter, please evidence the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification part of the Job Description.

Main purpose of the job

This programme aims to develop novel acquisition methods for quantifying how oxygen is taken up and transferred to the lung.

Advanced MRI methods will be developed with the aid of optimisation via computational simulations. These will be deployed on a range of MRI systems.

The post holder will have responsibility for optimisation and deployment of the new methods, in close collaboration with partner centers.

The successful candidate will work closely with other researchers within UCL and the external collaborators.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop state-of-the-art acquisition and analysis techniques, and to assist the theoretical framework for modelling gas exchange in the lungs.

Duties and responsibilities

To develop advanced methods for oxygen-enhanced dynamic MRI data acquisition.

To adapt the developed measurements for use on clinical scanners.

To optimise MRI methods in healthy volunteers To work with other researchers to implement methods on a range of scanners, located at UCL and at the project partner institutions, and to showcase their practicality through multi-centre reproducibility.

To evaluate the MRI measurements in groups of CLD patients and test effectiveness in differentiating disease subtypes and tracking disease progression.

To undertake research and development according to the work-plan agreed between the collaborative partners, and in particular to apply scientific rigour to this activity.

To disseminate the results of the research among project collaborators, and among the wider scientific community via publications in peer-reviewed, high-impact scientific journals and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

To liaise effectively with collaborating academic partners, for instance, by identifying and communicating opportunities for sharing research resources, by sharing research findings, by organising and attending visits at UCL and at collaborating partners, and by preparing reports and presentations for internal review.

To travel to collaborating partners for research activities, potentially including on occasion on-site visits for a number of days or weeks.

To actively contribute to the generation and regular update of the project work-plan.

To aid in the supervision of departmental students.

To attend regular meetings, workshops and training as required.

To help in the preparation of public presentations of the group's research activities.

To actively promote the research and raise the public profile of the project and of the host department.

As the duties and responsibilities may change, this job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder on a regular basis.

The postholder will carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager or Head of Centre/Department.

To contribute to Departmental, Faculty, or UCL-wide working groups or committees as requested.

To maintain your own continuing professional development.

To actively follow and promote UCL’s policies, including its Equal Opportunities Policy.

To maintain and awareness and observation of fire, health, and safety regulations.

To carry any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post.

General

Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.

Take responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and social sustainability values, actively supporting UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and objectives within the remit of the role.

Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

To actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies.

To maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test)

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

A completed PhD, or close to obtaining a PhD, in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) physics or related biomedical engineering: Application Experience of working in one or more of the following areas: pulmonary MRI, cardiac MRI, dynamic functional MRI, computation MR image processing: Application / Interview Experience in scientific programming using Matlab, Python or another widely used high-level programming language.: Application /

Skills and abilities

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/or presentations at scientific conferences.: Application / Interview Ability to present to specialist scientific audiences both orally and in writing.: Application / Interview Research skills (theoretical and empirical, planning and documentary).: Application / Interview Ability to present complex information orally and in writing effectively to a range of audiences.: Application / Interview Ability to work to deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy and an eye for detail.: Application / Interview 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.: Application / Interview Good problem-solving skills and highly self-motivated.: Application /

UCL Ways of Working

Please use Ways of Working supporting indicators to clarify ‘how we work’ expectations at UCL. Please click here to find grade appropriate supporting indicators and guidance on using Ways of Working in recruitment.

Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team in a research community.: Application / Interview Commitment to high quality academic research and demonstrable aptitude for research.: Application / Interview Commitment to continuing professional development.: Application / Interview Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds.: Application /

Desirable Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test) Experience in MRI pulse sequence programming: Application / Interview Genuine interest in respiratory medicine: Application /