Applications are invited for a full-time Research Support Officer to work on the recently funded Health and Care Research Wales project SEE-SAFE: Understanding and Reducing Visual Distortion in Clinical Image Transfer and Video Consultations.
The project investigates the safety and reliability of images and video used in remote healthcare consultations. Images captured using smartphones and other consumer devices may be altered by lighting, camera hardware, device settings, compression, software processing, filters and AI-based image enhancement. These effects can alter clinically important visual information such as colour, texture, contrast and image detail.
The successful applicant will work primarily on Work Package 1 (WP1), which focuses on experimentally quantifying how environmental conditions, imaging devices and software processing affect image and video fidelity. Controlled imaging experiments will compare reference-quality images with images acquired using different smartphones and tablets, lighting conditions, and processing or transmission settings. Computational and AI-supported analysis will be used alongside clinician assessment to quantify visual distortion and investigate its potential impact on clinical interpretation.
This is an interdisciplinary role at the interface of digital imaging, computer science, artificial intelligence and healthcare. The post holder will contribute to experimental imaging, image and video acquisition, data management and computational analysis, working with researchers, clinicians, NHS staff and research participants.
Candidates should be educated to degree level or equivalent in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Engineering, Physics, Imaging Science, Data Science or a related discipline, possess knowledge of digital imaging, image processing, computer vision or related technologies. They will also have experience of working with digital images/video and setting up or operating technical equipment or experimental systems and experience of using programming or data-analysis tools to process and analyse research data.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence 1st February 2027 and the post is available for a period of 12 months.
This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis (equivalent to 1 FTE).
This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.
Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.
Closing date for applications: 02 December 2026
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact: Professor Zengbo Wang
School of Computer Science and Engineering, Email: z.wang@bangor.ac.uk
Committed to Equal Opportunities
Overview
The city of Bangor is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to the mountains of Snowdonia and the beach resorts of the North Wales coast, and offers a quality of life that surpasses that in the most regions of the UK. Lying on the Euroroute to Ireland, Bangor is served by fast train services to most major cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff. It also has excellent road connections via the A55 expressway to the motorway network and Manchester and Liverpool airports are within 90 minutes by car.
The School of Computer Science and Engineering at Bangor University is a research-led community with approximately 40 academic staff encompassing a wide range of disciplines from Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition to Data Visualisation; Medical Microwave Electronics and Medical Simulation; Optoelectronics, Broadband and Optical Communications; Organic Electronics; Nanotechnology; Nuclear Engineering; Product Design and more.
The School of Computer Science and Engineering hosts both the Nuclear Futures Institute and the Digital Signal Processing Centre of Excellence, both leading world class research.
The Project
The use of patient-generated photographs and video in remote healthcare has increased substantially. However, smartphones and other consumer imaging systems are primarily designed to produce visually attractive images rather than clinically accurate representations.
Factors including camera hardware, lighting, automatic white balance, image enhancement, compression, display characteristics and AI-based processing can modify colour and other image characteristics. Such changes may affect visual signs used by clinicians, including changes in skin colour, jaundice, cyanosis, rashes and wound appearance.
WP1 of SEE-SAFE will investigate these effects through controlled image and video acquisition involving a range of commonly used smartphones and tablets, different illumination conditions and clinically relevant visual features.
A dedicated imaging configuration will be established at NHS sites, incorporating controlled lighting, fixed imaging geometry, colour-reference targets and multiple devices. The study will compare controlled reference imaging with conditions representative of typical remote consultations.
The resulting image and video datasets will be assessed using both clinician evaluation and objective computational techniques, including image-processing and AI-supported methods.
Purpose of the Job
The Research Support Officer will provide technical and research support for WP1 of the SEE-SAFE project.
The post holder will contribute to the establishment and operation of the experimental imaging system, undertake standardised image and video acquisition, support research-participant imaging sessions, manage experimental datasets, and undertake computational analysis of image fidelity and visual distortion.
The post holder will work under the direction of Professor Zengbo Wang and in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary SEE-SAFE research team.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the establishment, testing and operation of the WP1 experimental and clinical imaging setup.
- Assist with the configuration, calibration and testing of smartphones, tablets, cameras, displays, illumination systems, colour-reference targets and associated imaging equipment.
- Set up imaging configurations at research sites, including camera/device mounting, controlled lighting, fixed imaging geometry and colour calibration arrangements.
- Undertake standardised image and video acquisition from research participants in accordance with the approved research protocol.
- Work appropriately and sensitively with research participants and alongside NHS healthcare staff during imaging sessions.
- Acquire reference and comparative image and video datasets using different imaging devices, lighting conditions and acquisition settings.
- Ensure that experimental imaging conditions and procedures are applied consistently and documented accurately to support reproducibility.
- Record relevant technical information relating to devices, camera settings, lighting conditions, image processing and other experimental variables.
- Organise, catalogue and securely manage image, video and associated research data in accordance with project procedures, University requirements and relevant data-protection requirements.
- Undertake computational analysis of images and videos, including assessment of colour fidelity, image clarity, contrast, resolution, compression artefacts and other forms of visual distortion.
- Support the application and development of image-processing, computer-vision and AI/machine-learning techniques for objective assessment of image fidelity.
- Assist with comparison of experimentally measured image distortion with reference images and clinician assessments.
- Support processing, visualisation, interpretation and presentation of research data.
- Maintain accurate experimental records, including equipment configuration, calibration information, imaging conditions and research results.
- Assist with troubleshooting imaging hardware, software and experimental procedures.
- Work collaboratively with researchers from computer science, imaging, medicine, patient safety and digital health.
- Participate in WP1 and wider project meetings and provide appropriate updates on research progress.
- Contribute to the preparation of project reports, figures, presentations, publications and other research outputs.
- Contribute to dissemination of research findings to academic, clinical and other relevant audiences.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and grade of the post as requested by the line manager.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Work independently on designated tasks while contributing effectively to the wider research team.
- Take responsibility for completing agreed activities within required timescales.
- Attend relevant research, project, School and University meetings as required.
- Participate in appropriate training, performance review and professional-development activities.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with relevant research governance and data-protection requirements.
- Follow approved research protocols, risk assessments and health-and-safety procedures.
- Undertake reasonable travel between Bangor University and relevant NHS research sites as required by the project.
- The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
- The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
- The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
- The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- A degree or equivalent qualification or experience, in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Engineering, Physics, Imaging Science, Data Science or a related discipline.
Desirable
- A postgraduate qualification or equivalent research experience in a relevant discipline.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of digital imaging, image processing, computer vision or related technologies.
- Experience working with digital images/video and setting up or operating technical equipment or experimental systems.
- Experience using programming or data-analysis tools to process and analyse research data.
- Demonstrable practical experience in developing and deploying LLM-based AI agents using Python, including API integration, tool calling, workflow automation, and agent evaluation or harness engineering.
Desirable
- Experience using Python, MATLAB or similar scientific computing tools.
- Experience in image processing, computer vision, AI or machine learning.
- Knowledge or experience of camera systems, colour calibration, lighting or image-quality assessment.
- Experience in research involving human participants or working in healthcare/NHS environments.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and present results.
- Ability to follow research protocols, maintain accurate records and manage digital datasets systematically.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to work independently, organise tasks and meet deadlines, including working at University and NHS research sites when required.
Other
Desirable
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.
General
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture.
The University has recently achieved a Race Equality Charter Bronze award reflecting our commitment to building an inclusive and equitable society for black, Asian and minoritised ethnic staff.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
Disclosure & Barring Service
This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.
Candidates should note that the University uses an external Umbrella body to process DBS checks. As such you should be aware that, if successful in your application, your name and e-mail contact details will be shared with the Umbrella body in order that they may contact you to start the application process.
