Senior Researcher in AI Technology and Ultrasound Video Analysis

About the UniversityWe have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.About the College/DepartmentHere at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too. The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology - we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design. School of Computing This is an exciting time in Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at the University of Derby. Building on recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) success, our school has ambitions to become leaders in these areas. In the last ten years, we’ve invested heavily in our facilities, including a 13m STEM centre. We aspire to be at the forefront of teaching and research around topics such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and complex networks. Our Data Science Research Centre will play a key role in this. Our engagement with global industries based in the Derby region, for example through our East Midlands Institute of Technology, helps ensure that our research and teaching are at the forefront of emerging industry needs and opportunities. Our links with companies in our region including Bloc Digital, Rolls-Royce and Alstom, also mean our students benefit from placement years and live briefs.  Data Science Research CentreThe Data Science Research Centre (DSRC) is based in the University’s STEM Centre at Markeaton Street. It features high-performance computing facilities and a state-of-the-art Data Visualisation Laboratory. The centre aims to play a leading role in the region and nationally in research and development, teaching and training.The Data Science Research Centre evolves around all aspects of data and is composed of four interconnected clusters. We work closely with our partners in the industry in areas that include rail, manufacturing, biomedical and the environment. Our aims are:To communicate the value data science can bring to organisational decisions through seminars, newsletters and international events such as conferences and workshops to local, national and international organisations and communitiesTo build strong relationships with industry, government and local communities to develop data science research and developmentTo develop impactful research that can improve businesses, the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities and decision makingTo champion high-quality education and training opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes to support local and national industries, organisations and communitiesAbout the roleWe are seeking to appoint a Senior Researcher to contribute to the development of AI models for ultrasound video analysis and thrombus prediction as part of the Horizon Europe ThrombUS+ project.ThrombUS+ is developing a wearable, point-of-care system for continuous monitoring, risk estimation, and prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis. The University of Derby’s role focuses on AI model development for automated analysis of ultrasound data, including ultrasound image/video segmentation, vascular structure detection, vein compressibility analysis, and thrombus/DVT prediction.In this role, you will work with the project team to design, implement, evaluate, and document AI models that can support automated DVT detection and clinical decision support using ultrasound video and related biomedical data.This is a fixed term contract until 30th June 2027.Anticipated interview date: Thursday 1st October 2026About YouWe are looking for a motivated researcher with strong skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision, with the ability to apply these methods to ultrasound image/video analysis and biomedical data. You should have a PhD, or be close to completing a PhD, in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or a closely related discipline.You will need strong Python programming skills and experience with at least one major deep learning framework such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, MONAI, or similar. Experience in image analysis, video analysis, medical imaging, biomedical data analysis, model training, validation, testing, and performance evaluation is essential.The non-negotiable requirements are strong machine learning/deep learning knowledge, good Python programming ability, experience in AI-based image/video or biomedical data analysis, and the ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary research team. Experience in two or more of ultrasound analysis, medical image segmentation, detection, tracking, thrombus/DVT research, explainable AI, or real-time/edge AI deployment would be highly beneficial.Principal accountabilitiesResearch/ScholarshipLead programmes of research that align with the Research Centre / Units of Assessment or College strategy by developing proposals that will make a significant and sustained impact to knowledge and understanding, as well as delivering research outcomes that contribute to the REF / TEF / KEF.Generate income by leading successful funding bids that develop and sustain research support for the specialist area resulting in a sustained and highly respected national and international reputation in the discipline.Publish research findings through leading peer reviewed national and international publications and conferences.Disseminate research outputs by engaging with the public through the internet, the media or other appropriate formats.Referee and peer review articles for academic journals and grant applications by research councils and other major funding bodies.Lead on sustained and impactful activity in knowledge transfer and business engagement that benefits the Research Centre or College and contributes to significant policy development at national and international level, and / or develops industrial links, networks and initiatives.Take a leading role in project managing research activities, including supervising other research staff.Teaching/LearningSupervise undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students, and provide training and teaching as appropriate.Contribute to appropriate teaching and learning programmes so that research informs and inspires a research led curriculum and teaching.Leadership/ManagementAct as an academic leader of the College or Research Centre, including leading project teams as appropriate, in order to ensure the delivery of high quality research, knowledge transfer and teaching and learning.Coach and mentor peers and colleagues in order to develop their research techniques, chair committees at Research Centre and College level where required and play a leading role in developing external networks.Undertake appropriate training and staff development.OtherProvide pastoral care to research colleagues as appropriate, referring staff to further help if required.Actively seek out and develop opportunities for interdisciplinary research both across the University and externally.Influence leading edge practice and seek to maximise income generation by building on, and developing, external networks with organisations such as funding and professional bodies, employers and other educational and research institutions.Contribute to the management of quality, audit and external assessments.Understand own development needs and formulate a personal development plan.Observe and implement University policies and procedures.Person specificationEssential CriteriaQualificationsGood Honours Degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or a closely related disciplinePhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline (or close to completion)Subject-specific qualifications / knowledge in data processing, deep learning, computer vision, medical imaging, biomedical data analysis, or a closely related areaExperienceAn appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of AI, machine learning, computer vision, medical imaging, or biomedical data applicationsProven experience of developing, training, evaluating, and interpreting machine learning or deep learning modelsExperience with Python programming and at least one major AI/deep learning framework, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, MONAI, or similarExperience in computer vision, image analysis, video analysis, medical imaging, or biomedical data analysisEvidence of sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge in AI, data science, medical imaging, or biomedical AI to contribute to research programmes and methodologiesEvidence of engagement in high-quality research activity, including peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, technical reports, project outputs, or research prototypesExperience of designing experiments, managing research tasks, analysing results, and reporting research findingsExperience of working with image, video, clinical, biomedical, or multimodal dataAbility to contribute to research in generative AI, explainable AI, trustworthy AI, or AI-enabled clinical decision supportSkills, knowledge & abilitiesStrong Python programming skillsProven research skills, with the ability to design, conduct, and manage original research in AI, computer vision, medical imaging, or biomedical AIStrong knowledge of machine learning and deep learning methodsAbility to develop AI models for ultrasound image and video analysis, including segmentation, detection, tracking, and classification tasksAbility to contribute to automated analysis of vascular structures, vein compressibility, thrombus prediction, and DVT-related risk assessmentAbility to support data preparation, annotation strategy, model training, validation, testing, and performance analysisAbility to evaluate AI model performance using appropriate technical and clinical metrics, such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Dice score, IoU, AUC, F1-score, robustness, and inference speedProven ability to exercise innovation and creative problem-solving in a research contextAbility to communicate complex technical and research information clearly in writing, presentations, project reports, and academic publicationsAnalytical ability to support conceptual thinking, innovation, and creativityStrong ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues, clinical partners, engineering partners, industry partners, and international consortium membersGood understanding of research ethics, data protection, confidentiality, reproducibility, research governance procedures, and good research practiceSelf-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research teamBusiness requirementsDemonstrate competences, core behaviours, and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core valuesFlexible to the needs of othersCommitted to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving qualityAble to take a flexible approach to work, including:Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for project meetings, consortium activities, conferences, or partner engagementSome evening and occasional weekend work where required by project activityKey contactFor further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Harry Yu, Associate Professor in Data Science via h.yu@derby.ac.ukFor enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.Important informationVisa Sponsorship EligibilityThe University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.Equity, diversity and inclusionThe University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website. We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice, and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.Environmental SustainabilityAt the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.Continue your career evolution with us, apply now at University of Derby.The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy.