Postdoctoral Researcher in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) physics

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (MMK) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work with Drs. Alexander Fyrdahl, David Marlevi, and Andreas Sigfridsson on sequence development, image reconstruction, and data analysis for next-generation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based in a clinically integrated, well-established cardiovascular imaging network, you will join a team developing and evaluating methods for improved cardiovascular imaging, using a combination of experimental and clinical studies.

Your mission

Phase-contrast MRI plays a crucial role in cardiovascular flow quantification, with three-dimensional measurements of time-resolved flow (4D Flow) presenting a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of cardiovascular hemodynamics. However, challenges like long scan times, motion artifacts, and the trade-off between spatial and temporal resolution remain significant barriers for widespread adoption. The incorporation of advanced image acquisition techniques and image based neural networks is starting to fundamentally change what can be analyzed and resolved. Specifically, our group has shown that innovations in both sequence development (introducing novel non-Cartesian sampling schemes) and post-processing (implementing super-resolution networks for post-scan resolution enhancement) can enable high-quality image recovery at higher acceleration factors and at unprecedented spatiotemporal resolutions, opening for new diagnostic paradigms. 

As a postdoctoral researcher, your focus will be on developing novel pulse sequences and accompanying image reconstructions for 4D flow imaging, seeking ways to efficiently image volumetric flow in the heart and large vessels. Work may also couple into our group’s efforts on data-driven image analysis, incorporating and implementing neural networks for image reconstruction, motion compensation, or enhanced flow quantifications. Making use of our translational team, the methods developed will be evaluated using dedicated on-site MRI scanners and in clinical patient cohorts, serving our overall goal of improving our understanding and use of MRI for next-generation cardiovascular care and to translate novel imaging innovations directly into clinical practice.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, and independent researcher with a PhD and strong research background in MR physics, scientific machine learning, computer science, or engineering physics. Solid and documented experience of MRI physics is essential, as is expertise in relevant programming languages, primarily C++ and Python. Experience in pulse sequence programming is highly recommended, in particular in the Siemens IDEA environment. Experience with Siemens ICE, OpenRecon or FIRE is advantageous. Further, demonstrated knowledge in scientific neural network implementations and programming with relevance to image analysis, reconstruction, or quantification, is an advantage. Experience from human cardiovascular MR imaging and analysis is desired but not required.

Scientific expertise and an ambitious, independent, and problem-solving attitude are highly valued. Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English are a must, as is the ability to interact and work in a translational team of technical and clinical colleagues on an international level. Emphasis will also be placed on personal competence. The postdoctoral researcher will get the opportunity to co-write grants and articles, supervise students, and take part in career mentorship; all providing an excellent basis for a further career as a project leader in academia or industry.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor a phd or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish phd is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

What do we offer?

As part of the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Group, we offer a unique translational research environment with wide-ranging expertise spanning clinical science, biomedical engineering, and medical physics, all working together to improve cardiovascular disease diagnostics. The position is fully funded jointly through a European Research Council project for advanced hemodynamic imaging (the MultiPRESS project) along with a Swedish Research Council project grant for adaptive motion-robust imaging (the AdaptiveSWIG project). Participation in international workshops and conferences, as well as potential research visits to collaborating sites will be included in the expected work.  Further, being deeply integrated with the clinical activities at the Karolinska University Hospital, direct access to state-of-the-art imaging equipment, diverse patient cohorts, and relevant computational resources provide excellent opportunities for ground-breaking research.

On a larger scale, Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

Welcome to apply at the latest 2024-12-11.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

1. David Marlevi, david.marlevi@ki.se

1. Virpi Töhönen, SACO, virpi.tohonen@ki.se
2. Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, taher.darreh-shori@ki.se
3. Elisabeth Noren-Krog, OFR, elisabeth.noren-krog@ki.se