King's College London

About us

The Imaging Physics and Engineering Research Department is based within the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences (BMEIS), which manages the King’s College London/Guy’s and St Thomas’ PET Centre. The PET Centre is the first in the UK to have two state-of-the-art large axial FOV PET-CT scanners. The Centre is active in research, including in new PET technology and data analysis methods. Through innovating in medical imaging techniques and working across many scientific disciplines, the School of BMEIS is improving the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of many neurological, oncological and cardiovascular conditions.

About the role

This role is intended to innovate in the area of multi-tracer imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), using kinetic modelling and AI to separate the information for at least 2 tracers so that simultaneous multi-tracer total body PET imaging can be conducted. The emphasis will be on the use of total body PET data with the new Quadra PET scanner.   

This will entail novel developments in a number of areas related to PET imaging and analysis:

1. Generation of highly realistic training data examples for dual-tracer PET imaging
2. Multiplexed PET data acquisition methodology and image reconstruction for simultaneous imaging of more than one PET radiotracer
3. Image analysis and separation of single-tracer images from the multiplexed data acquisition

The particulars of this role will be adaptable within these areas of research, according to the interests and expertise of the candidate. The role can accommodate more focused research as well as broader contributions to the overall remit of advancing imaging physics for total body PET.

The role will also be part of the work of the EPSRC-funded programme for the ‘Next Generation Molecular Imaging and Therapy with Radionuclides’ and also part of a project funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) through our collaboration with the University of Sydney. As such, in addition to innovating in robust image reconstruction, separation and analysis, the role will entail working with collaborators to ensure reconstructed images can be interpreted in terms of meaningful imaging biomarkers.

The role will be a basis for first- and senior author publications on the development of innovative methodologies in this field as well as co-authoring user-led publications. It is expected that the innovations will necessitate advances in deep learning, generative AI and PET image synthesis and analysis through exploiting the latest advances in deep learning and its integration with kinetic modelling and solving of inverse problems.

The post holder will be supervised by Professor Reader, providing expertise in image reconstruction, deep learning, imaging physics and analysis. 

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 15 May 2026.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD awarded or near completion related to medical imaging/reconstruction/deep learning/image analysis/PET (or closely related subject)* 
2. BSc (2:2 or above) in physics, engineering or related subject 
3. Presenting scientific research in the form of papers, posters and oral presentations and patents 
4. Technical programming experience in Python or similar
5. Use of computers/software including database and literature searching
6. Proven experience of preparation of academic manuscripts for high impact factor journals 
7. Willingness to engage with and learn about clinical aspects of studies and projects 
8. Willingness and ability to forge collaborative links with other academic and clinical disciplines 

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6. 

Desirable criteria

1. Postdoctoral experience in medical imaging and preferably radionuclide imaging 
2. Knowledge of pharmacokinetics and of standard and state-of-the-art biomedical data/image analysis methods 
3. Understanding of AI / deep learning and implementation, and technical programming experience (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow) 

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.