Postdoctoral positions in diffusion MRS/MRI modeling, radiology Department

Contexte

The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) is one of five Swiss university hospitals. Through its collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne and the EPFL, CHUV plays a leading role in the areas of medical care, medical research and training.

This multi-disciplinary project is a collaboration between Drs. Cristina Cudalbu (EPFL), Olivier Braissant (CHUV), Stéphane Sizonenko (HUG) and Ileana Jelescu (CHUV).

Non-invasive methods to advance our understanding of brain metabolism and microstructure concomitantly would be instrumental in characterizing brain physiological and pathological processes. Diffusion MRI (dMRI) combined with tissue biophysical modeling provides information about microstructure non-invasively. In addition, diffusion of brain metabolites measured by MR spectroscopic imaging (dMRSI) provides cell type-specific microstructure information exploiting metabolite localization within neurons or glia.

Here, we propose to develop new methodology for quantification and validation of microstructure through water and metabolites mobility at cellular and sub-cellular scales across the brain, by combining novel dMRSI acquisitions and diffusion modeling techniques, with two-photon microscopy and mass spectrometry validation and application to 3D organotypic brain cell cultures and rodents.

Mission

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The two postdoctoral positions involve the development of novel dMRSI fitting approaches, notably by leveraging joint spectral-diffusion fitting, joint water-metabolite fitting and machine learning on realistic numerical substrates. Algorithms will be validated and applied on experimental data acquired in the context of the consortium.

ENVIRONMENT:

You will be part of the Microstructure Mapping Lab, a research group of engineers, physicists and neuroscientists within the Department of Radiology at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL), led by Prof. Ileana Jelescu. The group has access to state-of-the-art clinical MRI scanners (CHUV), preclinical MRI scanners (EPFL) and ample GPU computing. You will actively collaborate with the groups of Drs. Cudalbu, Braissant and Sizonenko. The CHUV and UNIL are founding partners of the CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, along with the EPFL, UniGE and HUG, constituting a broad community in a variety of disciplines ranging from MRI to signal processing, EEG and PET.

Profil

• PhD in physics, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, or related field
• We look for an ambitious scientist with initiative, curiosity, rigor and a strong background in MRS or MRI
• Proficiency in programming (Matlab or Python) is mandatory. Experience with C++, bash and typical neuroimaging software is a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. French is a plus.

Nous offrons

The two positions are open until filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.

The project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Salaries follow the University of Lausanne scale. Contracts are renewed yearly, for up to four years.

To become an employee of the University Hospital Center from the Canton of Vaud is an assurance of:

• First-rate social benefits such as a Paternity Leave of 20 days and a Maternity Leave of 4 months (there is also the possibility to obtain a complementary breastfeeding leave of 1 month)
• Regular salary progression adapted to your responsibilities
• A 13th salary and 25 days of vacations per year
• A right to at least three days of training per year, by accessing a wide offer of courses not only from the CHUV Training Center but also from external providers
• Possibility to access one of the 500 furnished apartments offered in the surrounding neighborhoods in case of relocation in Switzerland
• Discounts proposed on social and cultural events, goodies and other services, thanks to the “H-Oxygène” association
• Signing up to our Mobility Plan and benefit from different advantages (discounts on public transportation, promotion of “Mobility” car fleet and discounts on electric bikes)
• Being able to enjoy our high-quality corporate restaurants, located in every hospital building, with employees’ discount

Contact et envoi de candidature

Contact person in case of questions about this role : Pre Ileana Jelescu, website or email

All of our applications are processed electronically. For this reason, we kindly ask you to apply exclusively by clicking on the APPLY button at the bottom of the advertisement. Should you have any technical question, please contact our Recruitment Team (021/ 314-85-70 from 08h30 to 12h00 and from 14h00 to 16h30).

The CHUV applies the highest quality requirements as part of its recruitment process. In addition, mindful to promote workplace diversity and inclusion we strive to ensure equal treatment and avoid any discrimination. We are looking forward to receiving your application.

We would like to inform external recruitment agencies that any application inserted directly on our recruitment platform won’t be accepted and cannot be charged. Thank you for your understanding.