Job Description

Job Title:

Research Assistant

Posting Start Date:

22/10/2025

Job Id:

1752

School/Department:

School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

32,080- 33,002

Closing Date:

05/11/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity available for a physicist / engineer to join the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield. The successful candidate will lead image analysis and reconstruction research on magnetic resonance imaging of the lungs and heart in children (including neonates), and will be based in the POLARIS group, which is internationally recognised for research in MR methodology and clinical translation. The candidate's research will be closely aligned with broader aims of the Section of Medical Imaging and Technologies in the Division of Clinical Medicine.






Specifically, the candidate will develop AI-driven analysis and image reconstruction pipelines for paediatric pulmonary / cardiac MRI applications. Software packages for image segmentation, analysis and reconstruction will be established. Developed methods can be tested against a diverse cohort of infants and/or paediatric and/or adult patients with lung disease, as part of ongoing clinical studies. In addition, the candidate will develop tools and software (e.g. interactive toys and games) to familiarise paediatric patients with lung / cardiac MRI prior to their visit, and in turn contribute to increased scan success in these populations. Associated hardware for improving patient experience, comfort and image quality will be designed and constructed. The candidate will work closely with other MRI physicists and engineers, and alongside clinical partners at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Main duties and responsibilities

Develop AI-driven analysis and image reconstruction pipelines for paediatric pulmonary / cardiac MRI applications. Develop software packages for image segmentation, analysis and reconstruction. Design & build tools and software to familiarise paediatric patients with lung / cardiac MRI and improve patient experience. Image computing support for pulmonary MRI applications. Development of hardware for neonatal / paediatric MR applications Contribute to and actively participate in ongoing international collaborations with other academic, clinical and industrial research partners. Analyse and record data to aid future research and produce useful findings. Publishing high impact papers as one of the main authors. Present results to collaborators of the project, members of the research group and external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings. As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Good Honours degree in Physics or Engineering (or equivalent)




Essential




Application




Publications in imaging journals as a first author




Desirable




Application




Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team




Desirable




Application




Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving




Essential




Interview




Ability to work independently and creatively




Essential




Interview




Practical experience of pulmonary / cardiac MR imaging




Desirable




Interview

Further Information

Grade

6.1

Salary

32,080 - 33,002

Work arrangement

Full time

Duration

Start date asap for 8 months

Line manager

Research Fellow

Direct reports

Research Fellow

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polaris




For informal enquiries about this job contact: Dr Neil Stewart (Research Fellow) on

neil.stewart@sheffield.ac.uk

or

01142159148

.

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in early October. This will consist of an interview and discussion of the candidate's research experience to date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact clinmed-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways / Technical Career Route. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.




Closing Date : 05/11/2025





We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.