The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
University Graduate (BSc/MSc)
0-1 year post-graduationSkills to master
- Strong Python/C++ fundamentals, basic image processing libraries (NumPy, SimpleITK), Git version control, and an understanding of medical imaging concepts.
You're ready to move on when
- Completed a final year project or Master's thesis involving image analysis or medical data.
- Contributed to open-source projects or built personal technical projects.
- Can articulate basic DICOM concepts and the challenges of medical data.
- 2
Technical Internship Conversion
Directly upon completion of a successful internship (6-12 months)Skills to master
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to real-world projects, familiarity with our specific tech stack, and a proven track record of learning quickly within our environment.
You're ready to move on when
- Received excellent feedback from your internship supervisor and mentor.
- Successfully completed assigned project tasks during the internship.
- Integrated well with the team and understood our working processes.
- 3
Junior Software Developer (from related field)
1-2 years in a general software development role, then transitioningSkills to master
- Transferable software engineering skills (clean code, testing, Git), a strong desire to learn medical imaging, and self-study in relevant domain knowledge.
You're ready to move on when
- Has a portfolio of well-engineered software projects.
- Can demonstrate self-directed learning in medical imaging (e.g., personal projects, online courses).
- Understands the importance of regulatory compliance in critical software systems.