PhD Position: Open Source MRI Sequence Development for Robust and Efficient Myelin Water Imaging

1. Introduction

Do you want to make a real-world impact? Join our team to develop cutting-edge MRI techniques for decoding brain tissue properties! Collaborate with global experts and help create robust, clinically applicable solutions that transform how we measure the effects of neurodegenerative, neuro-inflammatory, and neurovascular diseases and monitor their treatment.

2. Job description

The title of the funding project says it all: ’Quantitative Imaging that (white) Matters: taking biophysical modelling to clinical applications’. This research initiative aims to improve myelin water imaging (MWI) in the context of neurodegenerative, neuro-inflammatory and neurovascular diseases. As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to the development of fast, robust and clinically applicable MRI sequences for multi-compartment relaxometry using open-source, platform-agnostic language. These sequences will give us the right data to better decode brain tissue properties, using biophysical modelling.

In this project, you will work with an international and interdisciplinary team of leading experts to develop new imaging sequences and image reconstruction techniques for MWI. This work will be developed on an open-source platform (Pulseq for MR sequence development and BART for image reconstruction) that is compatible with multiple MRI vendors. 

Your tasks will include:

• Sequence implementation.
• Creation of image reconstruction pipeline with integrated motion and physiology correction.
• Data acquisition at various sites with different field strengths (1.5T, 3T, and 7T) and scanner platforms (Siemens and Philips).

The focus will be on creating MR mapping methods that are: robust, self-navigated, maximally sensitive to myelin water variations, and can be deployed in the first instance on clinical trial sites as a gold-standard calibration system.

Your teaching load will be up to 10% of your working time.

3. Profile

• You should have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physics, biomedical engineering, medical imaging, or a related field. You have experience with programming in MATLAB, Python or a similar environment.
• You have strong analytical skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• You have excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral). 
• A strong background in MRI physics, sequence development and image reconstruction techniques is preferred.

4. We are

We are the MR Structural Quantitative Imaging group, a dynamic and collaborative research team at the forefront of MRI technology. As a team, we create new methods to obtain MR images that have units, can be compared across sessions and subjects, and whose values can be interpreted in the light of the right biophysical model.

In our team, you will have access to mentorship from leading experts in the field, including José P. Marques, Martijn Cloos, and Prof. David G. Norris (Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging). Additionally, you will have the opportunity to interact and conduct site visits to the groups of Dr Berkin Bilgic (Massachusetts General Hospital) and Prof. Maxim Zaitsev (University Hospital Freiburg).

Join us in pushing the boundaries of MRI technology and making a real impact on neurological healthcare.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,872 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,670 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to José Marques. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on 15 February. Starting date is 1 March, but there is flexibility until June 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.