The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

The Turing Health and Medical Science Programme has long-term interests in research study design and evaluation methodology for AI-driven healthcare solutions. It is seeking contribute to the development of standards for how to evaluate AI in clinical studies within the NHS and internationally. Following a recent NHS AI Award to Kheiron Medical Technologies, a specific novel opportunity has arisen for a two-year research programme that will specifically focus on optimising such standards for the breast cancer screening domain as part of a new Kheiron-Turing collaboration.

Further information about the award:

Four phases of award are available to support AI solutions from initial feasibility to evaluation within NHS and social care settings. The award is a competitive process run by the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) as part of the NHS AI Lab, in partnership with NHSX and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Phase 4 is intended to identify AI technologies that need more evidence to merit large-scale commissioning or deployment. The AAC will work with NHS sites to support their adoption of these technologies, and stress test and evaluate them within routine clinical or operational pathways to determine their efficacy and accuracy, and clinical and economic impact.

We are seeking a two Research Associates with experience in one or more of the following areas: clinical trials study design, diagnostic tools evaluation and artificial intelligence, to develop novel methodologies and studies to assess the safety and efficacy of Mammography Intelligent Assessment (Mia), a novel AI breast screening solution, developed by Kheiron Medical on over 3 million images from different mammography modalities and different ethnic backgrounds.

Mia has recently been tested in a large-scale clinical trial in the UK and Europe with 283,000 cases (unseen and unenriched sample size).

We are seeking to support the full-time employment/secondment (up to 1.0 FTE) of the Research Associate(s) to the Alan Turing Institute. We are also happy to consider employment/secondments of 0.5 FTE (18 hours) or above to allow for flexibility with candidates’ existing commitments

The successful candidates will be managed by the Senior Research Advisor, AI Methods.

As part of the AI award, Kheiron will be conducting a series of studies, including large-scale retrospective trials, reader studies, prospective trials, and post-market surveillance This is amongst a series of recently commissioned large-scale studies of their AI deployed in a real-world national health system environment supported by the NHS. The project will also provide a framework to establish which combination of studies works best to evaluate the AI.

The role holder(s) will have the opportunity to undertake frontier research and produce publications in the novel design of evaluation studies for AI models in real-world health systems; as well as, be part of the frontier national work involving NHS, Alan Turing Institute, NICE, PHE, AAC and NHS X teams on how to safely and effectively integrate new, cutting edge AI technology, and establish the UK as a leading global exemplar for large scale deployment of AI solutions.

The research team will benefit from the support of a Turing Research Project Manager from within its strategic Health and Medical Sciences Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop novel methodologies and studies to assess the safety and efficacy of Mammography Intelligent Assessment (Mia),
• Undertake frontier research in the novel design of evaluation studies for AI models in real-world health system
• To write or contribute to publications or disseminate research findings using other appropriate media
• Adhere to modern principles of reproducible and ethical data science in carrying out their responsibilities.
• To ensure compliance with secure handling of data and health and safety in all aspects of work.
• Drive collaboration with academic experts and broader research partners from across the Turing and the wider Turing / project community.
• Contribute to the broader research aims and challenges of the Health and Medical Sciences programme, and ensure positive feedback to the project partnership.
• Contribute to the life of the Institute and support its community

Essential

• A PhD (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in a relevant area which will include Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or related discipline
• Substantial experience in statistical modelling
• Experience in performing data analysis on substantial real-world problems
• Significant experience of using a modern statistical programming language (such as R and Python)
• Ability to understand and apply the principles of reproducible data science in previous research
• Experience in working with modern artificial intelligence technologies
• Experience of developing and documenting analysis workflows for scientific research projects
• Demonstrate a level of scientific comprehension to allow in performing relevant literature reviews
• Ability to critically evaluate experimental results and derive evidence-driven conclusions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in the visual representation of quantitative data, documentation of software packages or data resources, the authoring of research papers or technical reports, and giving presentations or classes on technical subjects
• Adapts the style of communication to the audience and ensures understanding
• Ability to communicate complex, specialist or conceptual information clearly and persuasively, presenting compelling arguments to influence and/or negotiate satisfactory outcomes
• Ability to lead own work Independently, and make independent decisions which are low risk and that mainly affect themselves or a small number of people and are guided by regulation and practice
• Work with others to make collaborative decisions that may be operational or strategic and impact immediate team or work area
• Recommend and advise on available options for decisions that affect operational processes, taking into account any risks
• Uses judgement to analyse and solve problems, and take action to prevent recurrence of problems
• Consider possible solutions to identify those which offer wider benefits, and obtain evidence to support thinking
• Proactive approach to managing stakeholders and their requirements and identifying opportunities for collaboration
• Adapts services and systems to meet stakeholders’ needs and identifies ways of improving standards Learns from issues and takes action to resolve them
• Ability to plan and implement rigorous analysis plans
• Identify and use a range of standard sources to gather and analyse routine data and produce reports that can be interpreted by others
• Understand when additional data is required and identifies appropriate sources Produces reports that identify key issues and findings
• Participates in networks within the organisation or externally to share knowledge and information in order develop practice or help others learn
• Networks with others with shared interests, collaborating on projects and strengthening future relations
• Working with confidential and sensitive data for research
• Flexible attitude towards work
• Commitment to EDI principles and to the Organisation values

Desirable

• Experience in the evaluation of predictive models in a clinical setting
• Research experience in biostatistical or clinical research studies
• Experience of regulatory processes involving software as medical devices
• Ability to act as an ambassador for the development and implementation of new AI regulatory evaluation processes

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact them on 020 3862 3575, or email recruitment@turing.ac.uk.

If you are currently employed by a University, please provide a statement of support from the applicable Head of Department to allow secondment to The Alan Turing Institute for this project (see Terms and Conditions below). Statement can be submitted up to a week after closing date. This is an administrative requirement only and will not be part of assessment criteria.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 31st May 2021 (23:59 BST)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed-term basis for two years. The annual salary range is £37,000-£40,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

For research positions: Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant with the salary of £34,500 per annum

If you are employed by a University, you will be seconded to the Institute for the duration of the project, As a secondment, funding will cover salary and on-costs only plus VAT if applicable. Payments will then be made on a quarterly basis.