The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, and today lead the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) came top in the league table of university research quality compiled from the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014). Based on our publication record, citations and impact, we rank among the world’s leading cancer research centres. As a college of the University of London, the ICR provides postgraduate higher education of international distinction. We also have charitable status and rely on support from partner organisations, charities, donors and the public. The ICR is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best minds in the world to join us in our mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.
We are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral training fellow who is focused on a career in research to join our team. We are about to embark on an exciting new programme of work, which is funded by Cancer Research UK and will develop novel ultrasound imaging methods for the purpose of monitoring tumour response to radiotherapy. The outcomes of this study, which include development of novel beam sequences, tissue tracking, modelling, data acquisition, and signal and data processing, will be evaluated preclinically and then directly translated into clinical studies for the benefit of cancer patients. The applicant will be responsible for, and work with other members of the team on: (i) the development of 2D and 3D shear-wave elastography (SWE) on a programmable ultrasound research platform such as the Verasonics, (ii) the validation of 2D and 3D measures of shear-wave speed in phantoms, ex vivo tissues and in vivo, (iii) the implementation of optical tracking methods and development of software to form and register 3D SWE data with data from other imaging modalities used in diagnostic imaging and therapy, i.e. CT and MRI, and (iv) the implementation of multi-parametric ultrasound on pre-clinical and clinical imaging systems.
The Imaging for Radiotherapy Adaptation Team is primarily focused on the development and application of novel imaging technology to guide therapy and monitor treatment response to enable clinicians to adapt therapy according to the individual to improve patient outcomes. The work will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Jeff Bamber’s Ultrasound and Optics Imaging team at the ICR who have extensive expertise in a number of ultrasonic imaging techniques including ultrasound elastography. The two teams work closely on many projects with team members assisting each other. The successful applicant will find themselves working in this way with colleagues involved in the development, in vivo study and clinical application of advanced elastography methods, backscatter tissue characterisation, 3D microbubble contrast ultrasound methods, multispectral photoacoustic imaging, novel contrast agents and imaging probes, and image-guided treatment.
Essential requirements:
• PhD in biomedical engineering, ultrasound physics, medical physics or related fields;
• First author publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• A strong background in one or some of the following: ultrasound beamforming, acoustic physics, modelling of physical phenomena (such as acoustics and wave propagation), ultrasound experimentation and data acquisition, signal and image processing;
• High level proficiency in third and fourth-generation programming languages;
• Knowledge of the programming interfaces of research ultrasound scanners;
• Proven technical writing skills for the preparation of research proposals and scientific articles.
• Team and results focussed.
To apply please click the link below; applicants should upload
1. presentation letter (maximum 2 pages) stating their motivation to work on this project and with the Imaging for Radiotherapy Adaptation Team.
2. Complete CV, proposing at least two referees.
3. Relevant publications.
Any queries about the role can be addressed to Emma Harris, Team Leader at
[email protected]
