2024 BNA Scholars announced
15th March 2024
Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century. To date, there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it. The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.
The UK DRI Care Research & Technology centre brings together a diverse team of doctors, engineers and scientists who together can harness recent advances in artificial intelligence, engineering, robotics and sleep science to create new technologies that will deliver the highest quality dementia care in the home.
The researchers are investigating new ways to keep people independent in their homes, improve their general health and sleep, and reduce confusion and agitation. Their work is guided by patients and their caregivers, focusing on issues that cause the most problems. The centre is seeking outstanding and committed post-doctoral research associates to work in the areas of neuroscience and/or machine learning.
In this role, you will become a key member of the research staff in the groups of David Sharp (Centre Director) and Payam Barnaghi (Deputy Director). You will join a vibrant community within the CR&T, which brings together engineering, data science, psychology and medicine to develop technologies that have a direct impact on the lives of people affected by dementia. The Centre has a broad research portfolio focusing on the development and application of new approaches to the diagnosis, monitoring and care needs of people affected by dementia.
We are developing new approaches to home monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, and behavioural/cognitive assessment. Machine learning is being used to help understand disease progression and provide novel approaches to dementia care.
We are integrating innovative biomarkers and neuroimaging into patient assessment and will be conducting clinical trials technology applied to dementia care. Areas of research focus include the development of:
We are looking for creative and enthusiastic researchers who can take on challenging roles with considerable scope for independent scientific achievement and personal growth. You will play a central role in developing the neuroscientific and/or machine learning work within the CR&T.
This post will suit you if you are highly motivated and interested in addressing real-world challenges and creating end-to-end solutions for problems encountered by those affected by dementia. There are a number of posts available that would be suitable for applicants with a range of neuroscience and machine learning skills.
You will be supported in their career development, including in the application for independent research funding both from the UK DRI and externally. Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £35,477 - £38,566 per annum.
david.sharp@imperial.ac.uk