Job summary The MSk lab aims to improve the clinical outcomes, understanding and management of musculoskeletal health. Current research within the lab aims to assess the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, develop new technologies, tools, rehabilitation and surgical techniques. The purpose of the post is to develop guided wave ultrasound software for measuring the mechanical properties of... Job listing information
Key information about the role
Job descriptionJob summaryThe MSk lab aims to improve the clinical outcomes, understanding and management of musculoskeletal health. Current research within the lab aims to assess the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, develop new technologies, tools, rehabilitation and surgical techniques. The purpose of the post is to develop guided wave ultrasound software for measuring the mechanical properties of cortical bone at the femoral neck (hip joint). Imperial College have a close working relationship with Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB), France. The group developed an ultrasound device that can reliably measure the thickness and porosity of cortical bone at the wrist (distal radius bone) and tibia. The aim of the post is to develop algorithms using guided wave ultrasound raw data so that the ultrasound tool can be used to measure a patient’s bone quality at the femoral neck before hip surgery. This bone is critically important in hip replacement surgery, as well as in hip fractures when a person falls over. This would usher in a new era of personalised medicine: A patient’s hip surgery could be tailored to their own, individual bone quality. The Engineer will interact with engineers at the LIB. The development of the technology is the main purpose of this post and your role will be split across multiple sites include the White City campus, performing under the supervision of Professor Justin Cobb, Dr Richard Abel and Dr Sara Behforootan. Duties and responsibilitiesYou will be responsible for analysing ultrasound raw data and seek correlation with mechanical testing data obtained from retrieved bone, as well as develop algorithms and software for bone quality assessment. Essential requirementsA master’s degree in physics, ultrasonics, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering or other related subject is essential. You should be able to carry out signal analysis and some coding. It is critical to the purpose of this post that you have experience in the following areas:
Further informationThe post is offered on a full time and fixed term basis for one year. The project is funded by The Wellcome Trust. We are seeking to appoint a full-time Research Assistant supervised by Dr Richard Abel. The appointee will be working in a group of clinicians and scientists, to undertake research for patient benefit within the field of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis management. Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £36,045 - £39,183 per annum. Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Richard Abel richard.abel@imperial.ac.uk.
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