Research Associate in Imaging in NMDs

Salary: £37,369 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 09 November 2026

The Role

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Post Doctoral Research Associate (Evaluator) to our team at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University, working on a Myositis UK funded project to validate MRI-based diagnostic biomarkers for inclusion body myositis (IBM). You will join an internationally recognised neuromuscular research environment in Newcastle and work closely with Professor Giorgio Tasca, Professor Jordi Diaz-Manera, and collaborating international referral centres contributing anonymised muscle MRI datasets to the study.

IBM is the most common acquired myopathy in people over 40 years of age, but diagnosis is often delayed or incorrect because robust diagnostic biomarkers are lacking. This project, “Validation and AI implementation of MRI Diagnostic Criteria for Inclusion Body Myositis: establishing imaging biomarkers to improve diagnostics and trial recruitment”, will provide the first large-scale external multicentre validation of refined MRI diagnostic criteria and compare expert visual assessment with AI-assisted MRI analysis.

The postholder will have a central role in the blinded MRI reading phase of the study and will provide expert evaluation of muscle MRI scans collected from international neuromuscular centres. You will apply refined IBM MRI diagnostic criteria, undertake semiquantitative scoring across approximately 40 muscles per scan, and contribute repeat assessments for intra-rater reproducibility analyses, helping to establish structured muscle MRI as a reliable diagnostic biomarker for IBM.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with expertise in muscle MRI assessment, strong analytical skills, and experience working with complex clinical research datasets in neuromuscular or closely related disorders. The successful candidate will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative translational research team, with the ability to interpret imaging data rigorously and communicate findings clearly to academic and clinical audiences.

The role will also involve active engagement with national and international collaborators and may support dissemination of findings at scientific meetings.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Newcastle University is committed to the responsible use of research metrics as part of our research culture and research strategy. We advocate for the transparent, appropriate, and inclusive use of metrics, guided by expert judgment, to support high-quality, impactful research that is open, collaborative and sustainable. Click here for our full policy statement on the Responsible use of Research Metrics. Click here for a self-study e-learning module on the Responsible Use of Research Metrics.

The successful candidate will report to Giorgio Tasca, Clinical Professor of Neuromuscular Sciences. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact him at [email protected]

Please submit a CV and covering letter, highlighting your relevant experience in sample preparation and analysis, omics research, experimental workflow development and collaborative, multi-site research.

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/  

Find out more about our Research Institutes: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

This is a fixed term post for 8 months.

Key Accountabilities 

• Undertake blinded expert evaluation of approximately 400 anonymised muscle MRI scans from patients with IBM and comparator myopathies using the project’s refined diagnostic framework


• Apply the MRI diagnostic criteria for IBM and assign MRI-based classifications under strictly blinded conditions


• Perform standardised semiquantitative scoring of muscle involvement across approximately 40 muscles per scan using an agreed scoring framework for fatty replacement and related imaging features


• Re-score a defined subset of scans following a washout period to support intra-rater reproducibility analyses and methodological rigour


• Work closely with the PI, co-applicant, project assistant and wider collaborators to maintain data quality, consistency of interpretation, and timely delivery of study milestones


• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project


• Determine appropriate methodologies for research


• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations


• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications


• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline


• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Detailed knowledge of muscle MRI assessment in neuromuscular disease, including recognition of disease-related patterns of muscle involvement and structured image interpretation


• Experience of applying semiquantitative imaging scoring approaches and working with blinded assessment procedures in research studies.


• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex imaging and/or clinical datasets with high levels of accuracy and methodological rigour


• Experience of working in neuromuscular research, muscle disease research, radiological research, or a closely related translational clinical research field


• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and international collaborators and contribute to multicentre research projects


• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy


• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences


• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results


• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues


• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications


• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems

• Awareness of the research environment


• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity


• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity


• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team


• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines


• Commitment to continued professional development


• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

• PhD  in neuroscience, neurology, radiology, biomedical sciences, medical imaging, or another relevant discipline

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29880