Research Assistant/Research Associate in Neuro Clinical Data Science (Fixed Term)

A Research Assistant/post-doctoral Research Associate position in Neuro-Clinical Data Science is available to work with Prof Zoe Kourtzi at the Adaptive Brain Lab (https://www.abg.psychol.cam.ac.uk ).

The position will focus on large-scale data analysis (MRI, cognition, genetics) to use for the translation of AI-guided tools for early detection of brain and mental health disorders to clinical practice (healthcare, clinical trials). The research will involve working on research cohort and clinical data, applying machine learning models to synthesise biological (brain imaging, genetic) and cognitive, epidemiological data, validating AI-guided tools in clinical data and translating these tools for adoption in healthcare and industry settings.

The research activity is at the core of a Wellcome Trust funded Innovator Award that brings together multidisciplinary experts in neuroscience (Prof Zoe Kourtzi, Adaptive Brain Lab), machine learning (Prof Carola Schönlieb, Department of Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge Image Analysis (CIA) Group), clinical practice (Dr Tim Rittman, Clinical Neuroscience) with healthcare innovation (Eastern AHSN) and pharmaceutical industry partners (AstraZeneca).

Our work programme aims to develop a fully deployable AI-guided decision support system to a) aid clinicians in early diagnosis and patient management decisions, b) direct tailored interventions to individual needs, c) inform patient selection for clinical trials. Our work on early prediction of dementia has already gathered significant media interest (e.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57934589 ) and has potential to deliver transformative applications in clinical practice. The successful applicant will receive multi-disciplinary research training at the interface between machine learning, neuroscience, and clinical translation. They will work with teams at the Alan Turing Institute (https://www.turing.ac.uk ), and the Data Science and Neuroscience teams at AstraZeneca.

Applicants should have a MRes or PhD (or submitted at time of appointment) together with a strong academic track record, in a relevant area (e.g., Neuroscience, Data Science, Biostatistics, Medicine, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering). Programming skills are highly desirable and experience with machine learning, data science, biostatistics, or clinical neuroscience are highly beneficial. Above all, they will demonstrate enthusiasm to contribute new knowledge, openness to learn new approaches and willingness to contribute to a multidisciplinary team across sectors (academia, healthcare industry).

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

For informal inquiries, please contact Zoe Kourtzi at [email protected]

Closing Date: Sunday 17th March 2024 at midnight

Interviews: TBC

Please quote reference PJ40634 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information
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