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UCL EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Integrated Imaging in Healthcare

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Optimising MRI Magnetic Susceptibility and Conductivity Mapping Techniques for Neuroimaging

Now closed

Studentship

28 February 2020

Project title: Optimising MRI Magnetic Susceptibility and Conductivity Mapping Techniques for Structural and Functional Neuroimaging

Primary supervisor: Dr Karin Shmueli

Project summary
We are looking for a highly motivated and talented student to develop magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) electromagnetic tissue properties mapping techniques to advance structural and functional neuroimaging. The studentship, funded as part of Dr Karin Shmueli’s European Research Council Consolidator Grant, is part of an exciting research programme to develop a new, rapid imaging technique with the goal of applying it in a proof-of-concept study in Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Karin Shmueli leads the MRI Group in the Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.  Dr Shmueli pioneered QSM and her group is now focused on developing and optimising QSM techniques for a variety of clinical applications, aiming to improve disease diagnosis and monitoring of therapies.

Research Plan
In this PhD project, supervised by Dr Shmueli, you will optimise QSM and conductivity mapping techniques for rapid structural and functional neuroimaging. You will develop sophisticated MRI pulse sequences for efficient acquisition throughout the brain. To test and optimise these sequences you will design and build physical imaging phantoms with materials of varying susceptibilities / conductivities. You will also learn the latest QSM image processing techniques and develop new computational algorithms and pipelines for image analysis. 

The goal will be to optimise the new techniques and test them in healthy volunteers. Our overall research goal is to discover whether rapid, high resolution QSM and conductivity mapping reveals new, useful information about brain microstructure and function.

This work will be carried out as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of physicists, biomedical engineers and clinicians. You will be based primarily within the Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering and carry out most of your MRI experiments using 3-Tesla MRI systems in local UCLH Hospitals.

The Department is proud to host internationally-leading research groups engaging in a broad range of activities. Our staff and students have a diverse range of interests and expertise, covering many areas of physics, engineering, medicine, physiology, computer science, and mathematics. This provides a highly stimulating multidisciplinary environment for learning and for scientific research.

Requirements
You must have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualifications or experience) in an appropriate Physics, Engineering or Mathematics based subject. You must show a clear interest in MRI physics, particularly as applied to neuroscience and healthcare. Experience in numerical computing and programming in languages such as Matlab or C/C++ will be advantageous. Other desirable skills include creative and critical thinking, excellent writing and communication skills, self- and time-management and a capability to work effectively both in a team and independently, and to take the initiative.

Funding will be for 4 years, with a tax free stipend of £17,280 per year plus UK/EU-level university fees. Outstanding students from outside the EU may apply if they have funding to support international fees. The closing date is 20th March 2020 and the anticipated start date is 21st September 2020 although this is flexible. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis so please do apply as early as possible.

To Apply: Please send a CV, a Covering Letter expressing your interest, and names and contact details of two referees, to Dr Karin Shmueli (k.shmueli@ucl.ac.uk) by 20 Mar 2020. Dr Shmueli will also be happy to handle any informal or scientific enquiries.