Overview
Organisation/Company: KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Research Field: Engineering Physics
Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2) / Established Researcher (R3)
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 28 Oct 2025
Type of Contract: Other
Job Status: Full-time
EU Funding: Not funded by a EU programme
Staff within a Research Infrastructure: No
About the role
The Research Department of Biomedical Computing, within the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, develops computational methods and AI technologies for automated diagnosis, prognosis and streamlining of clinical workflows. In the MeTrICS lab we are focused on methods for analysing and simulating human brain imaging data.
At the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (CDN), we investigate the mechanisms governing the formation of the brain during embryonic development and in early postnatal life. We understand that early experience shapes how the brain is constructed, and while the ground plan is genetically determined, it is also influenced by environmental experience.
CDN is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, located at Guy’s campus. Researchers have access to facilities in genotyping, molecular biology and Drosophila work. CDN has a close partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) and CDN researchers, together with clinical researchers from King’s, form the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Role details
We are seeking a Research Associate (RA) to work on the Brain Health in Gen2020 study, which seeks to understand how fetal infection – specifically from COVID-19 – impacts fetal cortical development and folding. The successful applicant should have experience running finite element models (FEM) of soft tissue mechanics and be able to translate mathematical models to code, with the long-term aim of translating methods to a learning-based (AI) framework.
The first responsibility of this RA is to run models of fetal cortical folding to generate training data for physics-constrained AI simulations. Over the project, the applicant would translate these solutions into novel AI frameworks that learn from longitudinal imaging data. Data sources include macrostructural (whole brain) MRI and microstructural (microscopy) of primary tissue slice cultures.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) with a fixed-term contract for 18 months.
Responsibilities
* Run finite element models (FEM) of soft tissue mechanics and translate mathematical models into code (not only using FEM software).
* Develop and adapt AI frameworks that learn from longitudinal imaging data.
* Work with data sources including macrostructural MRI and microstructural microscopy data.
* Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team and communicate technical methods to non-specialists.
Qualifications
* PhD in Biomedical Engineering (or related discipline) – awarded or thesis submitted
* Experience with running Finite Element Models (FEM)
* Ability to translate mathematical models of cortical folding from papers directly into code
* Programming experience in Python and/or C++
* Use of FEM software (e.g., ANSYS)
* Evidence of publishing papers in reputable conference proceedings or journals
* Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
* Skilled in explaining technical methods to a general audience
* Experience with machine learning
* Coding in PyTorch
* Evidence of published work simulating soft tissue mechanics
* Experience supervising junior team members and PhD students
*Please note: this is a PhD level role, but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award will be considered. The appointment will initially be at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant and, upon confirmation of the PhD, will become Research Associate with salary updated to Grade 6.*
Additional information
Full details of the role, 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 provides information on how criteria will be assessed during recruitment.
Downloadable copy of the Job Description is available for reference.
We value equality, diversity and inclusion
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming, and we embrace diversity. We are committed to developing candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities through our appointment process. All candidates should submit a CV and a supporting statement detailing how they meet the essential criteria. If there is a strong field, we may use desirable criteria to shortlist, so please include evidence against these where possible. For how managers review applications, see our “How we Recruit” pages.
Grade and Salary: £45,031 - £52,514 per annum, including London Weighting
Job ID: 128425
Close Date: 28-Oct-2025
Contact Person: Dr Emma C Robinson / Dr Katie Long
Contact Details: Emma.robinson@kcl.ac.uk / Katie.long@kcl.ac.uk
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