TomoGrav Postdoctoral Research Associate

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia; Easter Howgate; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the TomoGrav project. This full-time position involves developing advanced computational imaging techniques aimed at dynamic black hole tomography and applications in space geodesy and medical imaging. Ideal candidates will hold a PhD and possess expertise in areas like computational imaging and radio interferometry. The role offers a salary range of £37,694 - £47,389 per annum, alongside various benefits.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

9 additional closed days

Total rewards calculator available

Qualifications

• Strong publication record.
• Expertise in computational imaging or one of the applications.
• Exceptional communication skills (written/oral).

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced computational imaging techniques.
• Focus on dynamic black hole tomography and its applications.
• Participate in impactful case studies across astronomy and medicine.

Skills

Computational imaging

Radio interferometry

Black hole physics

Space geodesy

MRI

Education

PhD in astronomy, physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or related discipline

Job description

Role: TomoGrav Postdoctoral Research Associate Call I: From Black Hole Tomography to Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389

FTE and working pattern: Full‑time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term Contract for 12 Months

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full‑time staff (Part‑time workers should pro‑rate this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University

Detailed Description

The Biomedical and Astronomical Signal Processing (BASP) laboratory at Heriot‑Watt University Edinburgh is recruiting a large multi‑disciplinary team of postdoctoral researchers for the development of advanced computational imaging techniques and their cutting‑edge applications in radio astronomy, space geodesy, and medical imaging. The start date is October 1 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

BASP’s ethos is to develop cutting‑edge research on all aspects of computational imaging, from theory and algorithms, to applications in astronomy and medicine.

Multiple positions are open in the context of the £4M research Fellowship TomoGrav awarded by the Royal Society to Dr Kazunori Akiyama (moving from MIT in March 2026 as an Associate Professor at Heriot‑Watt) in partnership with Professor Yves Wiaux (head of BASP).

TomoGrav ambitions leveraging cutting‑edge AI to develop a computational imaging algorithm capable of an unprecedented regime of joint precision, robustness, efficiency, and scalability for image formation. The core application is dynamic black hole tomography with radio‑interferometric telescope arrays such as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) and its proposed space‑based Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) extension. The algorithm will be transferred to extreme‑scale radio‑interferometric imaging applications with SKA, to space‑geodetic imaging for Earth reference frame determination, and fast dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in medicine.

TomoGrav is supported by 10 world‑renowned partners from across the world, whose combined expertise is second to none: Prof. Markoff (University of Cambridge), Dr Younsi (University College London), Prof. De Laurentis (University of Naples Federico II), and Dr Johnson (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian) bring unique expertise in black hole science; Prof. Pesquet (Université Paris‑Saclay), Prof. Schönlieb (University of Cambridge), and Prof. Steidl (Technische Universität Berlin) are leading experts at the interface of machine learning and imaging science; Dr Breen (SKA Observatory), Dr Elosegui (MIT Haystack Observatory), and Dr van Heeswijk (Lausanne University Hospital) will support TomoGrav’s planned technology transfers to, respectively, SKA, space geodesy, and MRI. The partners will actively participate to the research and host the postdoctoral researchers for secondments.

The TomoGrav award was recently covered by global media, see e.g. the Royal Society press release, the Heriot‑Watt press release, the EHT blog, and our London Evening Standard Interview.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The postholders will develop cutting‑edge research in computational imaging, each focussing on one or multiple facets of the project, ranging from the development of high‑dimensional data models, imaging algorithms, and high‑performance software, to their validation in simulation and their extensive use for impactful case studies across the range of TomoGrav’s astronomical and medical imaging applications.

Appointments are initially for 1 year, and renewable for up to 3 years, depending on research progress. The researchers will be encouraged and supported to transition to fellowship positions funded by any of the UK schemes by the end of their third year, aiming to both support progression towards independence and grow the TomoGrav team.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for outstanding candidates with a PhD in astronomy, physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related discipline.

The candidates will have expertise in computational imaging or in one of TomoGrav’s applications: radio interferometry, black hole physics and astrophysics, space geodesy, or MRI.

Essential Criteria

• hold a PhD (or be about to);
• expertise in computational imaging, radio interferometry, black hole physics, and astrophysics, space geodesy, or MRI;
• capability to be self‑directed and think innovatively;
• strong publication record;
• excellent communication skills (written/oral).

Desirable Criteria

• experience of multi‑cultural work environment;
• ability to work as part of a team;
• demonstrated independence in research;
• experience of PhD student supervision.

About Heriot Watt University

Heriot‑Watt University has a broad reputation for world‑class teaching and leading‑edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business, and industry. This position is based within the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences which boasts a well‑established international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering, and technology.

How to Apply

Formal applications should consist of a single PDF including a motivation letter, CV, publication list, and names of 3 references. The file should be submitted as single document via the Heriot‑Watt Job Portal.

Any queries should be sent by email jointly to Dr Akiyama and Prof. Wiaux.

Applications should be submitted by midnight on 1 June 2026. Candidate screening will begin in February 2026 and will continue on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

It is expected that the TomoGrav call for applications will renew on a yearly basis up until 2030 and beyond.

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award‑winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/.

Use our total rewards calculator https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University.