Post-Doctoral Research Position: Brain Mapping Using Quantitative Diffusion MRI
Position Description: The Section on Quantitative Medical Imaging (QMI) in the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications from post-doctoral level scientists interested in mapping morphological and structural features of the human brain using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other quantitative MRI methods. QMI has a long-standing history of developing methods that increase accuracy and reproducibility of quantitative structural MRI studies with the goal of developing robust MRI-based biomarkers for both neurological and non-neurlogical clinical applications. For a general overview about QMI’s research projects and publications, please refer: Laboratory on Quantitative Medical Imaging | National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (nih.gov).
Resources: QMI is part of the larger MRI research community at NIH, which has active programs in clinical and preclinical research. Equipment available in the NIH MRI Research Facility includes a number of 3T and 7T human scanners and 4.7T, 7T, 9.4T and 11.7T animal scanners. Recently, we procured a high-performance gradient insert for a GE 3T MRI system and a field camera will be available soon to monitor real k-space trajectories. We are developing a number of human brain imaging applications on this system. This will lead to the availability of data of unprecedented quality, both in-vivo and ex-vivo, that will open new avenues for the understanding of brain structure, architecture, perfusion dynamics, morphology, and physiology.
We are involved in several collaborative clinical studies, including research that concentrates on multiple sclerosis, postnatal brain development and prematurity, and pre-surgical planning for focused ultrasound therapy in essential tremor.
Finally, we are creating high-quality anatomical atlases that could be used for the analysis of data available from large multicenter studies.
Qualifications: We are looking for a creative postdoctoral fellow who has a strong background in human brain anatomy and an interest in neuroimaging projects that involve building and annotating novel MRI brain atlases and analyzing the large datasets available from public repositories or data originating from the multiple ongoing clinical collaborations.
- The candidates must have a Ph.D. or an M.D. (or be in the final stages of achieving their degree) in area such as neurology, radiology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering or a related discipline.
- Previous work experience with common quantitative structural MRI techniques, such as diffusion MRI, perfusion MRI, and relaxometry is desirable.
- Familiarity with at least one programming or scripting language such as C/C++, Matlab, Python, and R, as well as familiarity with existing neuroimaging tools such as Freesurfer, AFNI, FSL is desirable.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Position Location: Building 13, NIH main campus, Bethesda, MD.
To Apply: For more information, please contact Dr. Carlo Pierpaoli (pierpaoc@nih.gov) with a statement of interest, current CV, and the contact information of three references. The position will be open until filled.
Position includes salary and benefits commensurate with NIH guidelines for post-doctoral fellows. NIH is an equal opportunity employer.