Research Associate in "Real-time Computational Hyperspectral Imaging"

Post overview:

• Focus: Translational research on real-time computing for hyperspectral imaging linked with an active neurosurgery clinical study
• Line manager: Tom Vercauteren
• Industry collaborator: Hypervision Surgical
• Clinical collaborator: King’s College Hospital
• Salary: Grade 6, £38,826 - £45,649 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job description

We are seeking an interventional image computing researcher to design and translate the next generation of real-time AI-assisted hyperspectral imaging systems for surgical guidance. The postholder, based within the Department of Surgical & Interventional Engineering at King’s College London, will play a key role in a collaborative project with King’s College Hospital and Hypervision Surgical, a recently founded King’s spin-out company. A clinical neurosurgery study has been set up to underpin this collaboration. The successful candidate will work on the resulting neurosurgical data as well as retrospective data. They will also have the opportunity to provide insight on how to best acquire prospective data.

Brain tumour surgery involves removing as much of the tumour as safely as possible. However, even with the best hands and the most modern technology currently available, it is often not possible to reliably identify tumour during surgery. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has the potential to enhance the surgeon’s vision to reliably identify tumour and healthy brain structures. HSI data is nonetheless complex, high-dimensional and thus requires advanced computer-processing before it can be visualised and interpreted by the surgical team.

Key activities relate to real-time processing of hyperspectral imaging, from low-level image reconstruction to deep-learning based tissue property estimation and semantic segmentation of brain tissue and tumour types. The recruited individual will complement our multidisciplinary team and undertake research on real-time image computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence for computer-assisted interventions.

The post involves close and active collaboration with researchers, engineers, and clinicians. Working with established platforms and building on the software already present within our teams is of paramount importance to ensure project cohesion and strong links with the members of the team. The close collaboration between King’s College London, King’s College Hospital and Hypervision Surgical Ltd will ensure a fast-tracked conversion from the research development into products achieving accelerated patient and public benefit.

The successful candidate will design, develop, and translate real-time modular software components for hyperspectral image computing, machine learning and visualisation. They will also interface those with existing software and hardware components. Specifically, the candidate will develop algorithms for super-resolution, physiological parameter estimation, tissue differentiation and informative visualisation. The candidate will work closely with the rest of the team to correlate the result of their work with rich clinical data (e.g. surgical microscopy, histopathology) and validate the overall imaging system.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 24 months in the first instance. This can be a full-time or part-time post – 50-100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Develop, validate and integrate real-time algorithms for interventional hyperspectral imaging
• Contribute to project management tasks
• Maintain accurate and up-to date technical and user documentation of the delivered software
• Contribute to the dissemination of the research through publications, open-source software and public engagement activities

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. Honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent in Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or related numerate discipline
2. PhD or equivalent industrial experience in Computer Assisted Intervention or a closely related field
3. Good knowledge of machine learning and computer vision algorithms
4. Solid knowledge of and experience using the Python and C++ programming languages
5. Experience with scientific software packages such as PyTorch, Pandas, SciPy, NumPy, SciKit’s, OpenCV, etc.
6. Experience in standard software engineering practices including version control systems and software testing methodologies
7. Experience working on system integration tasks
8. Ability to work with a variety of people

Desirable criteria

1. A demonstrable record of publications in peer-reviewed conference proceedings and scientific journals
2. Experience in real-time computing optimization (Parallel computing, GPGPU programming, deep learning inference engines such as TensorRT, etc.)
3. Understanding of image acquisition and hardware components relevant to real-time data acquisition and processing of computational biophotonics

More information about the position and how to apply here or here.