Research Fellow

Research Fellow: Machine Learning for Early Diagnosis of Dementia

Opening exists for a post-doctoral researcher position on a UKRI funded project, Holistic Optical Biomarkers For Early Differential Dementia Diagnosis (HOpE). You will join an inter-disciplinary team of computational scientists, clinical experts and molecular biologists in developing novel computational algorithms for pattern recognition with Raman spectroscopy data. Techniques to be explored include classic statistical methods including low-rank matrix and tensor factorization and more modern deep learning-based methods with quantifying uncertainty in predictions as a primary goal. The post will be based within the Vision, Learning and Control (VLC) research group in the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS), working with the investigator, Professor Mahesan Niranjan.

The University of Southampton has a high profile for research and research-led education. For an early career researcher, we offer an environment with a dynamic research culture, an opportunity to interact with a community of researchers working on advanced topics and excellent high performance computing facilities. There is much activity in the pursuit of difficult inter-disciplinary problems, particularly at the computing-health and computing-biology interfaces, of which this project is an example. The rich environment of research in this area is largely facilitated by the Institute for Life Sciences.

The VLC group in which this project is based consists of 20 academic staff and over 30 post-graduate researchers working on various algorithmic and applied topics in Machine Learning, Computer Vision and Control Systems. We maintain a vibrant research environment via a regular seminar series, weekly journal club and occasional informal discussions, and the group works more as a community of scholars than a collection of researchers. Staff in the group teach courses spanning a range of topics in modern Machine Learning: architectures, algorithms and a range of applications, and the appointee will be able to take advantage of these both by attending specific topics and by helping with teaching.

Other benefits of the position include a contributory pension scheme; holiday entitlement of 30 days plus 8 bank holidays and 6 additional holidays (closure days); subsidized health and fitness facilities on-site; cycle to work scheme; and a range of discounts.

For an informal discussion on any specific questions about the position, applicants may contact Professor Mahesan Niranjan mn@ecs.soton.ac.uk.

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.