Research Associate in Multi-Modal Medical Image Registration

King's College London; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

King's College London is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop innovative ultrasound imaging techniques integrated with MRI for the next generation of targeted neuromodulation therapies. The successful candidate will lead a significant ARIA-funded project and collaborate with international experts, contributing to a vital healthcare challenge in a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Medical Image Processing, ultrasound/MRI/CT imaging, or related field required.
• Experience with multi-modal medical image registration essential.
• Strong academic record with publications and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for registration of ultrasound scans to MRI/CT head scans.
• Create anthropomorphic head phantoms and algorithms for image registration.
• Interaction with multi-national team across prestigious institutions.

Skills

Medical Image Processing

Multi-modal Image Registration

Computer Programming

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Education

PhD in Medical Image Processing or related field

Tools

Matlab

Python

C++

Job description

About Us

The School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences at King's College London is a world-leading centre for translatable methods of diagnosing and treating disease. Hosted within St Thomas' Hospital, our facilities include pre-clinical and clinical MRI, PET, SPECT scanners, as well as research ultrasound platforms. The Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging and Interventions (QUIIN) laboratory is developing advanced ultrasound techniques for imaging and therapeutic interventions, spanning from focused brain ultrasound for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, to super-resolution ultrasound imaging and multi-transducer ultrasound methods.

About The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop methods for real-time registration of ultrasound skull imaging to MRI/CT head scans. The project is funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), a UK R&D funding agency, whose mission is to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of image processing, multi-modal image registration, and ultrasound imaging. The post involves the development of software for fast and accurate registration of ultrasound scans of 3D-printed human skulls to MRI/CT head scans. The research associate will develop anthropomorphic head phantoms and algorithms for fast and accurate multi-modal image registration, based on state-of-the-art machine learning approaches. The developed methods will be applied for ultrasound-based navigation in a novel ultrasound engine designed to drive "mosaic neuropharmacology in the brain". The project's overall aim is to remotely trigger drug delivery for targeted neuromodulation, through bespoke liposome-microbubble combinations in different parts of the brain.

The post-holder will lead this exciting ARIA-funded project in the heart of London. The project is highly translational and its results will be used for next generation ultrasound-based navigation in focused ultrasound brain therapies. The project will be based in the Department of Surgical & Interventional Engineering, within the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, at King's College London. Ultrasound and MRI/CT experiments will be conducted at St Thomas' Hospital. The post holder will interact with a multi-national team led by Dr. James Choi at Imperial College London, consisting of interdisciplinary experts from Imperial College London, University of Michigan, and University of Arizona.

This is a full time post and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/12/2026.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD in Medical Image Processing, ultrasound/MRI/CT imaging, or a related field*
2. Experience with multi-modal medical image registration
3. Computer programming skills (e.g., Matlab, Python, C++)
4. Strong academic record, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations in international conferences
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable criteria

1. Experience with research ultrasound platforms (e.g., Verasonics)
2. Experience with MR/CT acquisition sequences
3. Ability to work independently and in a team

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click "Apply Now". This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ' How we Recruit ' pages. Interviews are due to be held in late June/early July. We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.