Postdoc Position: Biophysical Modeling for Advanced qMRI Applications

1. Introduction

Do you want to make a real-world impact? Come and join our team to develop cutting-edge biophysical models for decoding brain tissue properties from MR images. 

2. Job description

This position is part of a project focused on developing efficient and robust models to extract quantitative biomarkers from MRI data, aiming to accelerate and enhance our ability to monitor the development of  neurodegenerative, neuro-inflammatory, and neurovascular diseases. This process will be done in direct collaboration with a targeted group of early adopters involved in clinical studies and clinical trials (contract research organisations) based in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Switzerland.

You will lead the development and integration of neural network decoding strategies for multi-compartment relaxometry (MCR) and myelin water imaging (MWI) as a new tool for assessing brain tissue microstructure. The work will focus on enhancing computational efficiency, improving biomarker extraction, and expanding the biophysical models to include vascular tissue factors and ensure the consistency of metrics extracted at different field strengths (from 0.5 to 7 Tesla).

Your tasks will include: 
- Developing and optimising neural network-based methods for MCR-MWI and diffusion informed MWI.
- Collaborating with other team members to test these models and apply them to data from different MRI systems and field strengths (0.5T, 1.5T, 3T, 7T).
- Leading efforts to develop biomarkers beyond myelin water fraction (MWF), incorporating new data related to tissue vascularisation and metabolic oxygen rates (CMRO2).

3. Profile

• You hold a PhD in physics, biomedical engineering, medical imaging, computer science, or a related field.
• You have expertise in MRI data analysis, biophysical modelling, and/or neural networks.
• You have strong programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar) and experience with machine learning techniques.
• Familiarity with MRI pulse sequences and quantitative MRI methods (such as DWI, MWI or QSM) is highly desirable.

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 conduct site visits and interact with the groups of Dr Berkin Bilgic and Kwok-shing Chan (Massachusetts General Hospital), as well as with clinical partners Prof. Cristina Granziera (Basel University) and Petra Pouwels (AmsterdamUMC) and clinical trial companies (Perspectum, MIAC and SBGneuro), looking into using such technologies in patient studies.

Join us in pushing the boundaries of biophysical modelling of MR data, making a real impact on neurological healthcare.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 38 months.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• 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 the first two weeks of March. You will preferably start your employment on 1 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. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.