Preclinical Senior Technical Officer

The department is looking to recruit a Preclinical Technical Officer in the field of small animal imaging, working mainly in the fields of nanoSPECT/CT and nanoPET/CT with opportunities to also work with PET/MR, MRI, optical imaging and focussed external beam irradiation therapy. The purpose of this role is to support, train and advise multidisciplinary scientists and students using and developing novel medical imaging methodology.

The incumbent will be expected to support the Pre-clinical Imaging Operations Manager to manage and maintain the preclinical imaging facilities (e.g. calibration, quality control, testing imaging scanners; trouble-shooting); ensure compliance of facilities and users with the relevant regulations and government bodies, with control over stocks, equipment and supplies.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities include providing: teaching, advice and training on techniques/procedures, operation of the scanners and data and image analysis; facilitating the efficient and ethical operation of animal experiments involving imaging to achieve the aims of various research programmes. In addition, the post holder will be expected to extract maximum value and capability from the imaging facilities, by developing and implementing novel quantitative imaging protocols and flexible data analysis pipelines in response to the needs of colleagues.

Duties also include good communication, critical evaluation and problem-solving skills, use and monitoring of safe working practices to maintain and improve health & safety compliance. Included are completing risk assessments, SOPS, adjusting protocols and facilities to reduce levels of risk including negative environmental impacts. When required, reporting accidents/ incidents and participating in accident investigations.

Independent decisions will be expected, in a timely manner to solve problems which impact the facilities and contribute to collaborative decisions. This role requires the postholder to work independently based on an agreed work plan, setting own priorities and working cooperatively with stakeholders to achieve the service objectives.

The post holder will keep informed about developments in relevant technical/scientific fields and adopt and adapt new approaches/ methodologies to meet local needs.

About us

The School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences is an interdisciplinary School dedicated to the development, clinical translation and clinical application of medical imaging technologies and devices. Staff and students comprise physicists, chemists, biologists, engineers, mathematicians and clinicians working together in a highly cross-disciplinary way.

The Department of Imaging Chemistry & Biology is one of eight within the School and its remit is to develop contrast agents and radiopharmaceuticals for both imaging and therapy and take them through the translational process from initial synthesis and characterisation, radiochemical synthesis, in vitro biology and preclinical in vivo biology and imaging, to the point of readiness for clinical evaluation.

Details

Date posted

06 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£45,031 to £52,514 a year

including London Weighting Allowance

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

N0067-26-0017

Job locations

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Contribution

to the operational management of imaging facilities (e.g. bookings, finance,

radionuclide deliveries/waste management, equipment servicing).

Undertaking

routine maintenance, calibration, quality control checks, inspections and

running of equipment related to imaging of small animals.

Designing,

developing and executing experiments to test imaging equipment limitations and

properties.

Showing

initiative in developing novel imaging and quantification methods in response

to the needs of colleagues and under own initiative leading to collaboration

and authorship in publications.

Ensuring

compliance with all Home Office licences, Environment Agency Permits, Health

and Safety Executive, Biosecurity, Local Rules and internal procedures with

associated auditing, documentation and updating of SOPs.

Assessing

experimental design, adherence to the 3Rs with critical and thoughtful feedback.

Assisting

in image interpretation, analysis, quantification and preparation of images and

data for publication in support of colleagues in a variety of research areas.

Provide

teaching and training on all aspects of: operation of scanners; animal handling

and regulated procedures; data reconstruction and image analysis as required.

Performing

the above tasks will also entail assisting with day-to-day care of animals

(mice and rats mainly) undergoing research protocols within the School and

helping to ensure highest ethical standards of users of the animal imaging

facility, including; monitoring animals undergoing procedures; carrying out

routine animal procedures including anaesthesia and intravenous injection;

assisting with maintaining disease models (such as tumours, atherosclerosis

etc.); with appropriate training, performing additional procedures to model

disease states, including implanting and maintaining tumour xenografts,

surgical procedures; assisting colleagues with animal dissection and

histological preparation of vessels and organs.

Storing,

archiving and retrieving of imaging data and liaising with the Schools IT team.

Assisting

with collation and submission of animal records of all procedures for return of

Home Office statistics.

The post holder

is required to have a solid understanding and experience in disaster recovery

planning and implementation techniques to rapidly and efficiently resolve

unexpected issues with preclinical imaging projects. This includes:

Use

of initiative to proactively help researchers resolve and reconcile complex and

conflicting requests as they emerge to ensure smooth planning and successful imaging

research.

Liaise

with other stakeholders to ensure equipment preventative maintenance, servicing

and other lab specific works are done in compliance with regulations/contracts,

in a timely and productive manner.

Deputise

for the Preclinical Imaging Operations Manager in certain duties including

budget and project management, enforcing compliance with risk assessment,

safety and regulatory affairs.

Any

other duties appropriate to the job as requested by the Head of

Department/School or the Preclinical Operations Manager.

Establish

and maintain close working relationships with other technical imaging experts

in the School and related departments, in particular from the PET Centre and

Medical Physics.

Additional

training will be provided where required, with the potential of the post holder

being trained to become a Radiation Protection Supervisor.

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.

Job responsibilities

Contribution

to the operational management of imaging facilities (e.g. bookings, finance,

radionuclide deliveries/waste management, equipment servicing).

Undertaking

routine maintenance, calibration, quality control checks, inspections and

running of equipment related to imaging of small animals.

Designing,

developing and executing experiments to test imaging equipment limitations and

properties.

Showing

initiative in developing novel imaging and quantification methods in response

to the needs of colleagues and under own initiative leading to collaboration

and authorship in publications.

Ensuring

compliance with all Home Office licences, Environment Agency Permits, Health

and Safety Executive, Biosecurity, Local Rules and internal procedures with

associated auditing, documentation and updating of SOPs.

Assessing

experimental design, adherence to the 3Rs with critical and thoughtful feedback.

Assisting

in image interpretation, analysis, quantification and preparation of images and

data for publication in support of colleagues in a variety of research areas.

Provide

teaching and training on all aspects of: operation of scanners; animal handling

and regulated procedures; data reconstruction and image analysis as required.

Performing

the above tasks will also entail assisting with day-to-day care of animals

(mice and rats mainly) undergoing research protocols within the School and

helping to ensure highest ethical standards of users of the animal imaging

facility, including; monitoring animals undergoing procedures; carrying out

routine animal procedures including anaesthesia and intravenous injection;

assisting with maintaining disease models (such as tumours, atherosclerosis

etc.); with appropriate training, performing additional procedures to model

disease states, including implanting and maintaining tumour xenografts,

surgical procedures; assisting colleagues with animal dissection and

histological preparation of vessels and organs.

Storing,

archiving and retrieving of imaging data and liaising with the Schools IT team.

Assisting

with collation and submission of animal records of all procedures for return of

Home Office statistics.

The post holder

is required to have a solid understanding and experience in disaster recovery

planning and implementation techniques to rapidly and efficiently resolve

unexpected issues with preclinical imaging projects. This includes:

Use

of initiative to proactively help researchers resolve and reconcile complex and

conflicting requests as they emerge to ensure smooth planning and successful imaging

research.

Liaise

with other stakeholders to ensure equipment preventative maintenance, servicing

and other lab specific works are done in compliance with regulations/contracts,

in a timely and productive manner.

Deputise

for the Preclinical Imaging Operations Manager in certain duties including

budget and project management, enforcing compliance with risk assessment,

safety and regulatory affairs.

Any

other duties appropriate to the job as requested by the Head of

Department/School or the Preclinical Operations Manager.

Establish

and maintain close working relationships with other technical imaging experts

in the School and related departments, in particular from the PET Centre and

Medical Physics.

Additional

training will be provided where required, with the potential of the post holder

being trained to become a Radiation Protection Supervisor.

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• PhD qualified (or near completion) in Medical Physics/Imaging Biology/related field, or undergraduate qualification in a relevant discipline with experience equivalent to a PhD qualification in similar posts with evidence of increasing levels of responsibility.

Desirable

• Home Office Personal Licence.

Experience

Essential

• Sustained experience of working with small animal imaging (PET, SPECT, MR, Optical etc) or other medical imaging discipline.
• Experience of small animal disease models, anaesthesia, surgery, drug administration and other aspects of small animal experimentation and study design.
• Understanding and knowledge of hardware and software in relation to medical imaging with proven technical problem-solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
• Systematic approach to problem solving with evidence of strong critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of a range of radionuclides and other ionising radiation, and the regulatory context of the use of radiation.
• Experience with data management, data reconstruction and analysis.
• Proven experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, comfortable and confident to present area of responsibility and expertise to auditors and inspectors.

Desirable

• Experience with a range of radionuclides and other ionising radiation.
• Self-motivated, showing initiative, flexible and co-operative.
• Able to handle several projects at once and prioritise and work to targets and deadlines.
• statistical analytical skills and/or pharmacokinetic modelling.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• PhD qualified (or near completion) in Medical Physics/Imaging Biology/related field, or undergraduate qualification in a relevant discipline with experience equivalent to a PhD qualification in similar posts with evidence of increasing levels of responsibility.

Desirable

• Home Office Personal Licence.

Experience

Essential

• Sustained experience of working with small animal imaging (PET, SPECT, MR, Optical etc) or other medical imaging discipline.
• Experience of small animal disease models, anaesthesia, surgery, drug administration and other aspects of small animal experimentation and study design.
• Understanding and knowledge of hardware and software in relation to medical imaging with proven technical problem-solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
• Systematic approach to problem solving with evidence of strong critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of a range of radionuclides and other ionising radiation, and the regulatory context of the use of radiation.
• Experience with data management, data reconstruction and analysis.
• Proven experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, comfortable and confident to present area of responsibility and expertise to auditors and inspectors.

Desirable

• Experience with a range of radionuclides and other ionising radiation.
• Self-motivated, showing initiative, flexible and co-operative.
• Able to handle several projects at once and prioritise and work to targets and deadlines.
• statistical analytical skills and/or pharmacokinetic modelling.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Kings College London

Address

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.kcl.ac.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Kings College London

Address

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.kcl.ac.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Contribution

to the operational management of imaging facilities (e.g. bookings, finance,

radionuclide deliveries/waste management, equipment servicing).

Undertaking

routine maintenance, calibration, quality control checks, inspections and

running of equipment related to imaging of small animals.

Designing,

developing and executing experiments to test imaging equipment limitations and

properties.

Showing

initiative in developing novel imaging and quantification methods in response

to the needs of colleagues and under own initiative leading to collaboration

and authorship in publications.

Ensuring

compliance with all Home Office licences, Environment Agency Permits, Health

and Safety Executive, Biosecurity, Local Rules and internal procedures with

associated auditing, documentation and updating of SOPs.

Assessing

experimental design, adherence to the 3Rs with critical and thoughtful feedback.

Assisting

in image interpretation, analysis, quantification and preparation of images and

data for publication in support of colleagues in a variety of research areas.

Provide

teaching and training on all aspects of: operation of scanners; animal handling

and regulated procedures; data reconstruction and image analysis as required.

Performing

the above tasks will also entail assisting with day-to-day care of animals

(mice and rats mainly) undergoing research protocols within the School and

helping to ensure highest ethical standards of users of the animal imaging

facility, including; monitoring animals undergoing procedures; carrying out

routine animal procedures including anaesthesia and intravenous injection;

assisting with maintaining disease models (such as tumours, atherosclerosis

etc.); with appropriate training, performing additional procedures to model

disease states, including implanting and maintaining tumour xenografts,

surgical procedures; assisting colleagues with animal dissection and

histological preparation of vessels and organs.

Storing,

archiving and retrieving of imaging data and liaising with the Schools IT team.

Assisting

with collation and submission of animal records of all procedures for return of

Home Office statistics.

The post holder

is required to have a solid understanding and experience in disaster recovery

planning and implementation techniques to rapidly and efficiently resolve

unexpected issues with preclinical imaging projects. This includes:

Use

of initiative to proactively help researchers resolve and reconcile complex and

conflicting requests as they emerge to ensure smooth planning and successful imaging

research.

Liaise

with other stakeholders to ensure equipment preventative maintenance, servicing

and other lab specific works are done in compliance with regulations/contracts,

in a timely and productive manner.

Deputise

for the Preclinical Imaging Operations Manager in certain duties including

budget and project management, enforcing compliance with risk assessment,

safety and regulatory affairs.

Any

other duties appropriate to the job as requested by the Head of

Department/School or the Preclinical Operations Manager.

Establish

and maintain close working relationships with other technical imaging experts

in the School and related departments, in particular from the PET Centre and

Medical Physics.

Additional

training will be provided where required, with the potential of the post holder

being trained to become a Radiation Protection Supervisor.

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.

Qualifications

Essential

• PhD qualified (or near completion) in Medical Physics/Imaging Biology/related field, or undergraduate qualification in a relevant discipline with experience equivalent to a PhD qualification in similar posts with evidence of increasing levels of responsibility.

Desirable

• Home Office Personal Licence.

Experience

Essential

• Sustained experience of working with small animal imaging (PET, SPECT, MR, Optical etc) or other medical imaging discipline.
• Experience of small animal disease models, anaesthesia, surgery, drug administration and other aspects of small animal experimentation and study design.
• Understanding and knowledge of hardware and software in relation to medical imaging with proven technical problem-solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
• Systematic approach to problem solving with evidence of strong critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of a range of radionuclides and other ionising radiation, and the regulatory context of the use of radiation.
• Experience with data management, data reconstruction and analysis.
• Proven experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, comfortable and confident to present area of responsibility and expertise to auditors and inspectors.

Desirable

• Experience with a range of radionuclides and other ionising radiation.
• Self-motivated, showing initiative, flexible and co-operative.
• Able to handle several projects at once and prioritise and work to targets and deadlines.
• statistical analytical skills and/or pharmacokinetic modelling.