Postdoctoral Mathematician

This is an exciting opportunity to join a research group as part of an EPSRC/AsthmaUK funded proof of concept study investigating a new lung function assessment tool in patients with asthma. The post is suitable for a Postdoctoral Applied Mathematician with experience and skills in mathematical modelling in a biological context. The ideal candidate will have Matlab coding skills and be able to apply statistical and machine learning methods to biomedical data. 

The postdoctoral Applied Mathematician will analyse retrospective data collected through an observational, clinical physiological study in a large cohort of healthy subjects and asthmatic patients with a range of disease severity. They will analyse time-series signals through using our novel mathematical analysis method in order to perform classification studies to identify unique lung function metrics. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians and mathematicians working on the project under the supervision of Dr Gerrard Rafferty and Dr Manasi Nandi at King’s College London and Prof Philip Aston (mathematician, University of Surrey). The work will be conducted in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences laboratories in the Dept Respiratory Medicine at the Denmark Hill campus of King’s College London and remotely. The post holder will be responsible for dataset curation, processing and analytical methods development and will regularly communicate their findings to multidisciplinary audiences.  

The post holder will receive teaching in respiratory physiology monitoring and advanced pulmonary function testing and the bespoke mathematical method to a level sufficient to understand the aims of the project.

Key responsibilities

•       Undertake research of high quality consistent with making an active research contribution in line with the aims of the project 

•       To take responsibility for specific study-related decisions within their expertise, and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Study Investigators 

•       To be responsible for advanced time series and signal analysis 

•       To be familiar with the specialised equipment and/or techniques associated with the project 

•       To comply with the King’s College London Health and Safety regulations and policies, good laboratory practice, GDPR and GCP. To work in accordance with our partner NHS Trust policies (King’s College Hospital & Guy’s & St Thomas’). To be aware of and work within the guidelines for biomedical research set out in the Declaration of Helsinki (1989) 

•       To work to Good Clinical Practice Guidelines. 

•       To take responsibility for personal professional development 

•       Carry out the research project with appropriate supervision to an agreed timeline 

•       Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings at internal meetings and external conferences. 

•       Contribute to publications arising from the research project. 

Communication & networking  

•     Communicate complex information orally and in writing

•     Communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature at regular lab meetings and conferences when required

•     Liaise with research colleagues and staff at all levels

•     Prepare research and project progress reports as required in line with internal and funder timelines

Analysis & research  

•     To analyse and interpret data and draw conclusions

•     Keep up to date of advances in mathematical modelling in a biological context, in particular where relevant to Respiratory Physiology and Medicine

•     Develop expertise in statistical and/or machine learning methods

•     Develop expertise in MatLab attractor coding

Teamwork, teaching & learning support  

•     Work as part of a collaborative team to ensure the successful completion of the project

•     Train other colleagues in specialist research techniques when required

Pastoral care  

•     Show consideration to others

•     Respect confidentiality

This post will be offered on an a fixed term contract for 12 months 

This is a full-time  post – 100% full time equivalent

•       Undertake research of high quality consistent with making an active research contribution in line with the aims of the project 

•       To take responsibility for specific study-related decisions within their expertise, and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Study Investigators 

•       To be responsible for advanced time series and signal analysis 

•       To be familiar with the specialised equipment and/or techniques associated with the project 

•       To comply with the King’s College London Health and Safety regulations and policies, good laboratory practice, GDPR and GCP. To work in accordance with our partner NHS Trust policies (King’s College Hospital & Guy’s & St Thomas’). To be aware of and work within the guidelines for biomedical research set out in the Declaration of Helsinki (1989) 

•       To work to Good Clinical Practice Guidelines. 

•       To take responsibility for personal professional development 

•       Carry out the research project with appropriate supervision to an agreed timeline 

•       Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings at internal meetings and external conferences. 

•       Contribute to publications arising from the research project. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria  

1.       PhD in Mathematics or related field 

2.       Experience of handling and analysing biomedical data 

3.       Experience of Matlab coding and statistical and/or machine learning methods 

4.       Good communication skills to multi-disciplinary audiences 

5.       Ability to work effectively with colleagues, and other agencies 

6.       Good organisational and time management skills 

7.       Enthusiasm and ability to work under pressure 

Desirable criteria

1.       Previous experience in handling physiological cyclic time series data 

2.       Previous project management and/or research experience 

3.       Presentation of research at national/international meetings 

4.       Basic statistical knowledge 

5.       Personal commitment to research