Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed Term)

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nottingham invites applications for a two-year, full-time post-doctoral position in the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, within the Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences group. The project targets novel neuroimaging approaches that sensitise MRI to cell-type contrasts in rodent brains, integrating 3D light-sheet microscopy, spatial transcriptomics and MRI data.

Under Prof. Stam Sotiropoulos, you will develop data integration and biophysical modelling, tackle whole‑brain image

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant computational domain is required, or near completion.
• Strong programming and scientific computing skills are essential.
• Experience with joint analyses across imaging modalities or microscopy processing is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work on data integration and biophysical modelling of multi‑modal datasets.
• Develop image processing methods for whole‑brain 3D light‑sheet microscopy data.
• Collaborate with national and international partners under Prof. Stam Sotiropoulos.

Skills

Python

C++

MATLAB

Signal processing

Image processing

Computational neuroscience

Education

PhD in computational domain

Tools

FSL tools

Job description

Area

Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences

Location

UK Other

Salary

£32,080 to £47,389 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD).

Closing Date

Thursday 24 September 2026

Reference

MED2117126

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position in the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre (SPMIC), Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, UK. You will be part of a team working towards novel neuroimaging approaches that sensitise brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to cell types. You will integrate information across cutting‑edge modalities in the rodent brain (3D light‑sheet microscopy, spatial transcriptomics and MRI of the same brain) to learn MRI contrasts that can depict neuronal and glial cell density and morphology.

You will work under the supervision of Prof. Stam Sotiropoulos, along with national and international collaborators (Oxford, MIT, CEA Paris). The developments in the mouse will lead to novel contrasts that carry microscopical information and are translatable to humans. You will specifically work on data integration and biophysical modelling to make the most of the wealth of information in the multi‑modal datasets that will be collected. You will also have the chance to contribute to tackling unique image processing challenges in whole‑brain 3D light‑sheet microscopy data.

The successful applicant will be a member of the computational neuroimaging group ( https://conilab.nottingham.ac.uk ). The team have an established track record in developing computational neuroimaging technologies for mapping the brain at a systems level and are active developers of FSL tools ( https://www.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl ). The role holder will further join the existing inter‑disciplinary and vibrant environment team of the internationally‑recognised Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre ( www.nottingham.ac.uk/magres ) and expected to benefit from further collaboration opportunities with researchers within the Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, the N3 Centre (Centre for Neurotechnology, Neuromodulation and Neurotherapeutics) and the Institute of Mental Health.

Successful applicants will be expected to hold a PhD in a relevant computational domain, such as computer science, neuroscience, engineering, physics, applied mathematics (or be near to completion of their PhD). Skills in computer programming (especially Python or C++ or Matlab) and scientific computing are essential; together with signal/image processing skills. Experience in methods for joint analyses across (preclinical) imaging modalities or microscopy processing would be desirable.

The post is offered on a full time basis (36.25 hours per week) with a fixed duration of two years. Employment could begin as early as 1 st October 2026. Further information is available in the role profile.

• Job Description/Role Profile

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer . Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award .

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .

Please contact Prof. Sotiropoulos ([e-mail]) if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.