Image Analyst

This is a full-time fixed term position on Crick Terms and Conditions of Employment.

Position description and person specification
The position of Image Analyst will work within the Image Analysis Group to support the image analysis needs of scientists at the Francis Crick Institute.

Context
The Francis Crick institute (the Crick) is a partnership between the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, University College London, Imperial College London and Kings College London. It is a registered charity whose purpose is to conduct biomedical research into all aspects of human health and disease.

The institute will be a world-leading centre of biomedical research and innovation. It will promote connections between researchers and disciplines and between academic institutions, healthcare organisations and businesses. Dedicated to research excellence, the institute will have the scale, vision and expertise to tackle the most challenging scientific questions underpinning health and disease. It will be world-class with a strong national role—training scientists and developing ideas for public good. The Crick is located in a new, purpose built research centre in central London (Midland Road next to St. Pancras International) and will house some 1,250 researchers and 250 support staff.

Imaging is a cornerstone technology underpinning science at the Crick. We have a critical need to support the analysis of light microscopy data, as well as data from electron microscopy, histology, and pre-clinical imaging modalities. To address these needs, an Image Analysis Group comprising two Image Analysis Posts has been created within the Crick Advanced Light Microscopy Science Technology Platform (CALM STP). The Image Analyst role is an excellent opportunity for an experienced image analyst to help Crick Research Groups (CRGs) answer a wide range of exciting scientific questions.

Organisation
The Image Analyst will be a member of the Image Analysis Group and report to the Head of CALM. Beyond the provision of basic training and assistance they will help select research projects to support in greater depth, and work on these projects in close association with CRGs.

Objectives
The core responsibility of the Image Analyst is to provide CRGs with the tools needed to analyse their images. In the first instance this will involve training users in the basic use of ImageJ and developing custom macros to automate simple tasks. In addition to ImageJ, the Image Analyst will support the use of software packages such as Imaris, Volocity, Metamorph, Huygens, Cell Profiler and Ilastik. The Image Analyst will also work with CALM staff and CRGs to develop optimised image acquisition and analysis workflows. Finally, the Image Analyst will work closely with CRGs on projects requiring the development of more sophisticated analysis tools using programming languages such as Java, Python, Matlab, or C++.

Specific objectives will include, but not be limited to:
1. Develop basic training protocols for ImageJ
2. Assist CRGs with basic tasks including colocalization, segmentation, registration, and tracking
3. Write ImageJ macros for the automation of simple tasks
4. Assist CRGs with the design of experiments involving quantitative image analysis
5. Assist with the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of image data
6. Develop sophisticated tools to support Crick research projects
7. Communication to internal and external audiences

Person Specification
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Imaginative, Open, Dynamic and Collegiate, in addition to the following:

Essential

1. A degree and PhD in a physical or life science
2. Experience using light and/or electron microscopy to answer biological questions
3. Evidence of collaboration skills
4. Training and/or teaching experience
5. Excellent ImageJ macro programming skills
6. Excellent programming skills in either Java, Python, or Matlab
7. Ability to work effectively within a team
8. Ability to work independently when required
9. Excellent project management skills, including the ability to prioritise work and manage multiple projects
10. Effective written and verbal communication skills
11. Ability to think creatively and problem-solve

Desirable
• Experience with imaging modalities other than light microscopy; eg: electron microscopy, histology, PET/SPECT, CT or MRI
• Good links to the UK and/or International image analysis communities

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter, explaining your motivation and suitability for this role, together with your minimum salary expectation to jobs@crick.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 9th October 2016.
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