Senior Research Fellow (Computer Image Analyst Lead)

The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences (MDBS) at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to recruit a talented Senior Research Fellow within the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research. 

The successful candidate will lead and manage the computer image analysis section of the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence (PMC). They will develop, validate and maintain analytical tools, image and data analysis pipelines and algorithms to analyse digital images from cancer specimens, in the context of clinical studies and clinical trials and develop and coordinate the development of Artificial Intelligence tools for the analysis of tissue images (H&E, chromogenic IHC and multiplex Immunofluorescence) for the interpretation of tissue based evidence and the generation of new interpretative algorithms.

The post-holder will perform data analysis in large cohorts of samples and will be required to provide statistical analysis as appropriate.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing support for the generation and implementation of image and associated data analysis pipelines, data management strategies, as well as the generation of diagnostic imaging and imaging databases. They will be expected to integrate into a multidisciplinary environment provided on site, and to interact with key clinical and scientific stakeholders.

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:    

• Have obtained a PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, mathematics or related discipline.
• Substantial relevant research or clinical experience in computer image analysis, leading to publications of significant impact.
• Experience of working with Linux/UNIX environments.
• Significant experience managing and analysing tissue images and other big data.
• Proficiency with handling image file formats deriving from commercial scanners for pathology slide image generation.
• Comprehensive experience in handling segmentation-based architectures, both convolutional- and transformer-based following image optimization techniques such as Adam.
• Experience in assessing Deep Learning tool output performance with defined performance metrics and be able to justify said use.
• Experience of handling statistical analyses such as ROC, Kaplan-Meier, Random Forrest analysis, multi- & univariate analysis methodologies.
• Experience of direct managing of projects.
• Significant experience using and managing and curating internal and external databases (clinical and images).
• Significant experience in engaging with industry partners in the co-development of image analysis tools.
• Significant experience in engaging with industry partners in materials to take image analysis products through regulatory agencies.
• Proficiency with software such as QuPath, Python: PSF, PyTorch: BSD, Fastai: Apache, OpenCV: Apache License.
• Proficiency with perl, python, bash and/or equivalent languages.
• Significant experience creating, querying and maintaining databases, particularly MySQL or PostgreSQL.
• Experience with suitable analysis and plotting languages, particularly R or Matlab.

Please note the above is not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria click on the ‘Candidate Information’ link below.

This post is available on a fixed term contract until 31 March 2025. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion please visit:  www.qub.ac.uk/diversity ; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi  and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Dominique French ([email protected] )

Candidate Information

About the Centre

Attractive Reward Package

Further Information for International Applicants