Research Associate

Applicants are invited to apply for a new vacancy at Research Associate level in Image‑Guided Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, funded by a Royal Marsden Partners Research and Innovation Fund grant, entitled “Revolutionising Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery with Spectroscopy and Augmented Surgical Visualisation for Enhanced Real‑Time Cancer Detection and Tissue Mapping”. Up to 60% of patients undergoing surgery for oesophageal or gastric cancer experience disease recurrence, contributing to a poor five‑year survival rate of just 15–20%. Two key predictors of recurrence and overall survival are circumferential resection margin (CRM) status and lymph node involvement. Achieving negative margins and complete lymphadenectomy is vital, yet intra‑operative identification of cancerous tissue is highly challenging due to the difficulty distinguishing tumour from fibrosis or normal tissue—particularly after neoadjuvant therapy. Residual disease has been shown to nearly double mortality risk, and positive margins are not mitigated by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Furthermore, lymph node involvement is often underestimated preoperatively due to limitations in imaging sensitivity. Given the complexity of upper GI lymphatic drainage, surgical strategies for lymphadenectomy vary widely, and no consensus exists on optimal practice.

We have developed a novel solution: integrating Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) with augmented reality to provide immediate, objective visualisation of tumour margins and lymph nodes during surgery. DRS distinguishes between normal and malignant tissue based on their distinct optical signatures, offering the potential for precise, real‑time guidance to support oncologically sound resections.

What you would be doing

The post is based within the Hamlyn Centre at Imperial College London and the appointed applicant will carry out research and teaching at the Centre’s South Kensington Campus as well as translational work at the operating theatres in the Imperial NHS Trust. The post will support the further development of the DRS technique, including constructing a data analysis framework, image guidance system and a new user interface. You will be expected to play a key role in developing and translating this technology into additional applications in the operating theatre. You will receive guidance from a supervisory team including engineering support from Professor Daniel Elson, and clinical expertise from Mr Christopher Peters.

What we are looking for

We are looking for high calibre applicants with expertise in at least a few from the following areas: Optical Imaging/Physics, Biophotonics, Image Guided Intervention, Medical Data and Image Analysis. Experience of working with clinical partners would be useful, and you should also have a creative approach to research projects and exceptional problem‑solving skills. Communication and scientific writing skills are also required to ensure the widest impact of the work. You will also be committed to championing the ‘Imperial Expectations’.

What we can offer you

The opportunity to continue your career at a world‑leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity. Sector‑leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes). Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

This is a full‑time post, this role is for a fixed‑term contract based at South Kensington Campus.