Research Associate in Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging

Join to apply for the Research Associate in Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging role at Heriot-Watt University.

Contract: Full-time, Fixed-Term for 12 Months

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

About our Team

The interdisciplinary team works under the guidance of Professor Vassilis Sboros in the wider field of ultrasound contrast imaging, spanning its activities from theoretical physics research to in vivo diagnostic application. The physics of microbubble agents has been the main interest and the most significant part of the publication output for over a decade. Recently, additional expertise in signal and image processing from other areas of sensing has provided significant input to highly innovative research in super-resolution ultrasound imaging. The aims of the group are to provide cutting-edge research with commercial value that will change the face of ultrasound imaging in the future.

Detailed Description

The aim is to track microbubble contrast agents in circulation, thus generating images of the vascular network. This project will deploy the strong scatter from single microbubbles as a priori knowledge for implementing super-resolution image processing methodologies. We will explore novel methods to display the vascular dynamics and architecture of microvascular domains of cardiovascular diseased tissues. As the work involves the development of new technology, the patenting of the results is likely. The project will be conducted in an international collaboration environment and has attracted the interest of the medical ultrasound imaging industry with substantial investment. The researcher will liaise with the industrial partner to deliver research outputs that have a future in the clinical imaging market. The success of the project may offer additional career opportunities for the involved researcher.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
• Contribute to specialist courses such as research methods and equipment.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required.
• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods.
• Disseminate results of research in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.
• Continue to update personal knowledge and develop skills within own specialist research area.
• Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis.
• Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Write research reports and publications.
• Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes.
• Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes.
• Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision-making.
• Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals.
• Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.

We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: signal processing, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, Bayesian statistics, ultrasound imaging and beamforming, microbubble physics. Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential. A working knowledge of Matlab is essential.

General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students. Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators. The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve, for example, interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

• Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge and/or research methods and techniques to work in own area.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural work environment.
• Experience of working in a Higher Education or similar environment.
• Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant area of ultrasound imaging or related subject.
• A record of high-quality publications, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
• Experience with programming with Matlab applied to research in a relevant discipline.
• Thorough grounding in experimental in vitro techniques in ultrasound imaging.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
• Evidence of research ability: problem-solving, flexibility.
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities.
• Previous experience with one or more of the following: Ultrasound simulation software (such as Field II), Matrix Rotation, Ultrasound signal processing, Image Processing, Mathematical Modelling.
• Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
• Experience of programming for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience of experimental design and integration.
• Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
• Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications can be submitted until midnight on Monday 2nd June 2025.