TomoGrav Postdoctoral Research Associate Call I From Black Hole Tomography to Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Role:TomoGrav Postdoctoral Research Associate Call I: From Black Hole Tomography to Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Grade and Salary:Grade

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35 hours per week) Fixed TermContract for 12 Months

Rewards and Benefits:33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University

Detailed Description

The Biomedical and Astronomical Signal Processing (BASP) laboratory at Heriot-WattUniversity Edinburgh is recruiting alarge multi-disciplinary team of postdoctoral researchers for the development of advanced computational imaging techniques and their cutting-edge applications in radio astronomy space geodesy and medical imaging. The start date is October 1 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

BASPs ethos is to develop cutting-edge research on all aspects of computational imaging from theory and algorithms to applications in astronomy and medicine.

Multiple positions are open in the context of the 4M research Fellowship TomoGrav awarded by the Royal Societyto Dr Kazunori Akiyama(moving from MIT in March 2026 as an Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt) in partnership with Professor Yves Wiaux(head of BASP).

TomoGrav ambitions leveraging cutting-edge AI to develop a computational imaging algorithm capable of an unprecedented regime of joint precision robustness efficiency and scalability for image formation. The core application is dynamic black hole tomography with radio-interferometric telescope arrays such as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) and its proposed space-based Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) extension. The algorithm will be transferred to extreme-scale radio-interferometric imaging applications with SKA to space-geodetic imaging for Earth reference frame determination and fast dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in medicine.

TomoGrav is supported by 10 world-renowned partners from across the world whose combined expertise is second to none: Prof. Markoff (University of Cambridge) Dr Younsi (University College London) Laurentis (University of Naples Federico II) and Dr Johnson (Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian) bring unique expertise in black hole science; Prof. Pesquet (Université Paris-Saclay) Prof. Schönlieb (University of Cambridge) and Prof. Steidl (Technische Universität Berlin) are leading experts at the interface of machine learning and imaging science; Dr Breen (SKA Observatory) Dr Elosegui (MIT Haystack Observatory) and Dr van Heeswijk (Lausanne University Hospital) will support TomoGravs planned technology transfers to respectively SKA space geodesy and MRI. The partners will actively participate to the research and host the postdoctoral researchers for secondments.

The TomoGrav award was recently covered by global media see e.g. the Royal Society press releasethe Heriot-Watt press release the EHT blog and our London evening Standard Interview.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The postholders will develop cutting-edge research in computational imaging each focussing on one or multiple facets of the project ranging from the development of high-dimensional data models imaging algorithms and high-performance software to their validation in simulation and their extensive use for impactful case studies across the range of TomoGravs astronomical and medical imaging applications.

Appointments are initially for 1 year and renewable for up to 3 yearsdepending on research progress. The researchers will be encouraged and supported to transition to fellowship positions funded by any of the UK schemes by the end of their third year aiming to both support progression towards independence and grow the TomoGrav team.

Education Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for outstanding candidates with a PhD in astronomy physics electrical engineering applied mathematics computer science or a related discipline.

The candidates will have expertise in computational imaging or in one of Tomogravs application: radio interferometry black hole physics and astrophysics space geodesy or MRI.

Essential Criteria

• hold a PhD (or be about to);
• expertise in computational imaging radio interferometry black hole physics; and astrophysics space geodesy or MRI;
• capability to be self-directed and think innovatively;
• strong publication record;
• excellent communication skills (written/oral).

Desirable Criteria

• experience of multi-cultural work environment;
• ability to work as part of a team;
• demonstrated independence in research;
• experience of PhD student supervision.

About Heriot Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has a broad reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge relevant research which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation business and industry. This position is based within the School of Engineering and Physical Scienceswhich boasts a well-established international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science engineering and technology.

How to Apply

Formal applications should consist of a single PDF including a motivationletter CV publication list and names of 3 references. The file should be submitted as single document via the Heriot-Watt Job Portal.

Any queries should be sent by email jointly to Dr Akiyamaand Prof. Wiaux.

Applications should be submitted by midnight on 1 June 2026. Candidate screening will begin in February 2026 and will continue on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

It is expected that the TomoGrav call for applications will renew on a yearly basis up until 2030 and beyond.

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Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

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