Research Associate in Pulmonary MRI

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sheffield offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced MRI physicist/engineer to join the POLARIS research group. This role focuses on developing innovative MRI acquisition methods for pulmonary applications, contributing to impactful research, and collaborating with leading healthcare institutions.

Qualifications

• Experience in MRI acquisition and reconstruction methods.
• Strong background in pulse sequence programming.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical and academic partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of motion-robust MRI acquisition methods.
• Supervise PhD and undergraduate students.
• Participate in international collaborations and publish research.

Skills

MRI acquisition method development

Pulse sequence programming

AI-based approaches

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Physics, Engineering, or related field

Tools

GE EPIC environment

BART

Riesling

Job description

Job description:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced MRI physicist / engineer with a passion for developing MRI acquisition and reconstruction methods for pulmonary MRI to join the POLARIS research group at the University of Sheffield.

You will join the POLARIS group and our large and diverse academic Division of Clinical Medicine, under the mentorship of Professor Jim Wild, Dr. Neil Stewart, and Dr. Guilhem Collier. The POLARIS group is internationally recognized for research in MR methodology for hyperpolarized gas and proton MRI of the lungs (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polaris) and the Division of Clinical Medicine has an internationally strong research profile and excellent reputation for innovative, research-led teaching.

Your role involves using your skills in MRI acquisition method development to lead the establishment of motion-robust, free-breathing MR image acquisition methods and pulse sequences for proton (1H) and xenon (129Xe) pulmonary and cardiac MRI applications. This includes zero- and ultra-short echo time MRI approaches, adapted for pediatric populations. You will develop software tools for motion-resolved, dynamic image reconstructions from free-breathing scans, considering model-driven and AI-based approaches.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills in pulse sequence programming within the GE EPIC environment and to work with state-of-the-art reconstruction software such as BART and Riesling. You will adapt and test these methods in cohorts of infants, children, and adults with lung disease, as part of ongoing clinical studies. Collaboration with other MRI physicists, engineers, and clinical partners at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Children’s Hospital is integral to this role. Additionally, you will have opportunities to develop relationships with scientists at GE Healthcare and Advanced Healthcare Technologies.

You will contribute to supervising PhD and undergraduate students and actively participate in international collaborations with academic, clinical, and industrial partners. This flexible role involves generating impactful research at the interface of research and clinical translation, publishing high-impact papers, and contributing to MR imaging strategies within the Division of Clinical Medicine for further translational research.