Senior/Research Fellow, Neuroimaging [LKCMedicine] Full-time

Research Fellow Position

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School's primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five-year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

The Dementia Research Centre (Singapore) (DRCS) conducts human research in neuropsychology, neuroimaging and biomarkers to advance understanding of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and related conditions, and integrates digital platforms and artificial intelligence in translational research for cognitive disorders. The Centre offers a dynamic and supportive research environment, access to state-of-the-art core facilities, and valuable opportunities for hands-on experience in dementia research. Motivated and enthusiastic individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position focuses on Neuroimaging, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic research fellow to join our team, focusing on Neuroimaging, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The Research Fellow will drive multimodal neuroimaging research in a multi-institutional dementia program at the Dementia Research Centre in the LKC School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University. Working within Singapore's dynamic neuroscience research environment, the candidate will provide research support to the principal investigator and team in the organisation, processing, and analysis of neuroimaging data, as well as integrate neuroimaging, biomarker, and neurocognitive datasets to develop advanced machine learning algorithms for disease prediction and progression in dementia-related studies. All work will be conducted in adherence to International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) and protocol requirements. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop and refine in-demand clinical research skills in the field of ageing and dementia.

Key responsibilities: Successful candidates will assist in high-value research endeavours and perform a range of functions, including:

• Organize and execute the processing of multimodal functional and structural human brain imaging data using open-source and specialized image processing algorithms, and interpret findings from neuroimaging studies
• Perform study-related basic and advanced statistical analyses to support disease prediction and progression modelling
• Develop and apply advanced statistical and machine learning models to track disease progression
• Conduct literature reviews, formulate key research aims and hypotheses, and prepare analysis plans, reports, manuscripts, and grant applications
• Establish and contribute to cross-faculty, industry, and international collaborations
• Mentor graduate students and interns
• Disseminate research findings through publications and presentations at team, institutional, local, and international meetings and conferences
• Investigate brain imaging changes underlying cognitive and biomarker alterations associated with pre-clinical, early-onset, and late-onset dementia

Key decisions and dimensions:

• The Research Fellow will make key decisions regarding which image sequences and image modalities to study, which analyses methods to implement as well as organisations to liaise with regarding cross-faculty, industry and international collaborations
• The Research Fellow will prepare budgets and expenditures related to neuroimaging dementia research in the Dementia Research Centre
• The Research Fellow will drive grant application processes and projects within the Dementia Research Centre
• The Research Fellow will establish collaborations for progressive research developments.
• The position will report directly to the Director of the Dementia Research Centre A/Prof. Nagaendran Kandiah

Competencies and Qualifications Requirements:

• PhD in Neuroscience, Neuroimaging, Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, or related fields
• Experience working with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other dementias, ideally within a clinical setting (minimum 2 years preferred)
• Strong expertise in human brain imaging data, including processing and analysis of structural (T1, FLAIR, DTI) and functional (fMRI, ASL) imaging modalities using tools such as Freesurfer, SPM, and FSL
• Hands-on experience in data analysis and statistical modelling using software such as R, SPSS, and Python; experience with MATLAB and Bash scripting is advantageous
• Proven track record in research with evidence of impactful publications or other research outputs
• Demonstrated interest in clinical research, hypothesis testing, and strong critical thinking skills
• Good IT literacy skills
• Self-motivated, independent, and driven, with strong prioritization and time management abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, along with strong interpersonal skills

Hiring Institution: LKC