Research Associate in Multimodal Neuroimaging

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This is a 2-year fixed term opportunity for a post-doctoral MRI physicist to work on an ambitious Wellcome Trust funded neuroimaging grant. The project centres on the novel application of hyperpolarised xenon to study gas exchange in the brain. The post doc will be required to acquire pre-clinical data in a multidisciplinary team. Designing MR acquisition protocols and robust data analysis pipelines is essential to this role. Pulse sequences may be developed with the support of other senior scientists. This project seeks to understand the application of hyperpolarised xenon to detect early signs of brain diseases associated with the cerebral vasculature (specifically cerebral Small Vessel Disease). There is a clear route to human translation as these methods are already used in human research in Sheffield. Rigorous physiological validation of the method is the core aim.

We are embarking on an ambitious project with a small team; the successful candidate will be someone that can communicate and solve problems. The opportunity for bold, discovery science is how to interpret the data in the context of previous research, first principles of MRI physics and experimental physiology. Working closely with the PI Isabel Christie, you will acquire hypothesis-driven data. Building upon established tracer kinetic models and prior research at Sheffield, you will tailor image processing methods to derive the value of this data to diagnose deficits of gas exchange and blood brain barrier physiology.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan pulse sequences, acquisition parameters and help to acquire preclinical data.
• Communicate engineering requirements to colleagues/companies to generate robust solutions where required (RF coil, ventilator circuits).
• Assess and optimise data quality in real time during acquisition.
• Optimise xenon acquisition to test the hypotheses outlined in the grant drawing on the literature, local expertise and collaborators.
• Optimise ASL acquisition to test the hypotheses outlined in the grant drawing on the literature, local expertise and collaborators.
• Assist the PI to implement a data management plan for MRI Bruker data which adheres to the FAIR principles.
• Present results to members of the research group, to collaborators and to external audiences in national and international conferences.
• Potential to implement additional MRI methods used by other researchers to quantify perfusion or oximetry.
• Continuously monitor and check results, amending project plans as required to accommodate new developments.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
  
  

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Honours degree in Physics (2.1 or higher)

Essential

Application

PhD (or near completion) in MRI Physics or Medical Image Computing

Essential

Application

Track record of publication in MR or imaging journals, with at least one first author publication

Essential

Application

Evidence of programming proficiency

Essential

Application

Essential

Experience of team mentality and professional communication skills

Interview

Experience of working well in an interdisciplinary team

Essential

Interview

Evidence of project completion, working to deadlines and good time management

Essential

Interview

Evidence of image processing outputs

Essential

Interview

PIL license

Desirable

Application

Pre-clinical Bruker experience

Desirable

Application/ Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

£38,784-£41,064

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

2 years (with possible extension subject to approval)

Line manager

Principal Investigator

Direct reports

Principal Investigator

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph

For informal enquiries about this job contact Isabel Christie, Principal Investigator: [email protected]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 29th October. This will consist of INTERVIEW, PRESENTATION and LAB TOUR. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible after the advert closes. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [email protected]

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Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• access to menopause support in the workplace
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more
  

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.