Responsibilities
- To develop models for high dimensional clustering and prediction tasks using biomedical imaging
- Perform analyses both on premises and cloud compute
- To manage the work in collaboration with other members of the team and external partners
- To write and publish the work, as well as prepare grant submissions
- To take an active role in the academic work of the group and support the organisation as a whole
- To present at seminars and conferences as necessary
- To co-supervise MSc students
- Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand
- To contribute to the smooth running of the Group's/Unit's laboratories and facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories
- To comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate
- Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division
We are seeking a talented scientist to develop innovative machine learning approaches for understanding human health using cardiovascular imaging. These approaches integrate large datasets including health care records, genomics and imaging to prioritize novel therapeutic targets and identify mechanisms that modify risk of disease.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have a track record of experience in machine learning, statistics and data science and will lead on developing models for precision medicine, genotype-phenotype association, and advanced prediction tasks. Knowledge of a wide range of statistical tools and clustering / prediction algorithms is required. Experience of using foundation models and generative AI would be an advantage. Specific experience of using UK biobank data and human imaging would be desirable. The applicant should have proven programming experience including Python and R as well as using HPC and GPU environments.
- Background in AI/ML and data science
- Experience of using large databases and data wrangling
- Excellent programming skills in R and Python - including use of Jupyter Notebooks and cloud computing resources
- Advanced knowledge in a range of predictive tasks, clustering techniques and inference modelling
- Knowledge of HPC environments, Git and Docker an advantage, PhD (or equivalent experience) in Data Science / Computational Science or a closely related discipline, Excellent skills in R and Python with proven ability in programming and handling large datasets
- Proven ability to independently develop advanced AI architectures for medical research
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary research group
- Excellent written communication skills in English
Desirable
- Previous experience of DNAnexus or UKB Research Analysis Platform
- Experience in writing Bash scripts and using Linux environments
- Familiar with HPC scheduling and using Docker
- Good knowledge of Git for version control
- Experience of managing large databases and data wrangling
- Track record of software development and package creation
Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview): Essential
- Ability to conduct reproducible research
- Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
- Ability to develop and apply new concepts
- Creative approach to problem-solving
- Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people
- Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high standard of work
- Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
- Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
- Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the Internet
- Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
- Flexible attitude towards work
- Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
- Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand
- Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
- Willingness to work predominantly on site
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
