Lund University, Department of Medical Radiation Physics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The department of Medical Radiation Physics is engaged in research and education in ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and its use mainly in medical applications. The major areas are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiation therapy, X-ray physics, and nuclear medicine.

The MR physics research group (https://www.msf.lu.se/research/mr-physics-group), situated in the expanding Öresund region in southern Sweden, is active in the field of medical magnetic resonance (MR), and has its primary focus on development of new techniques for assessment of functional information related to perfusion, diffusion, cortical activation/ functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and flow. Emerging areas in the group encompass high field-studies using CEST as well as quantitative MRI in the brain and in the musculoskeletal system.

We are now recruiting a doctoral student in medical radiation physics specializing in fMRI.

Doctoral project description
We intend to evaluate and optimize pulse sequences and analysis methods for high resolution functional imaging of auditory cortex using MR. FMRI with high sensitivity and specificity is needed inter alia for a better understanding of how the brain processes the fine-grained differences in sound that allow us to perceive different speech sounds. In order to reach a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a scanner with the field strength 7T will be used. Different pulse sequences with T2 or T2* weighting will be evaluated. T2 weighting gives higher specificity at the expense of sensitivity. Using T2* weighting yields the opposite situation: sensitivity is higher, but specificity is lower. The best configurations for imaging activity in auditory cortex will be evaluated. A pulse sequence with high SNR which is promising but has as yet been used very little for fMRI (bSSFP) will be implemented. The spatiotemporal characteristic of the auditory cortex’ hemodynamic response needs to be better understood in order to yield adequate information from fMRI. This will be investigated by modeling the brain response as a traveling wave. This type of modeling has previously been used in projects where visual cortex has been studied, but needs to be adapted for implementation on the auditory cortex. If necessary, pulse sequences will be modified using pulse programming.

Assignments
The main assignment is to pursue third-cycle studies, consisting of postgraduate courses and thesis work related to the research project.  The position may also include departmental assignments (maximally 20%), including teaching, research or administrative tasks.

The main task in the research project is to evaluate and optimize pulse sequences and analysis methods for high resolution fMRI in auditory cortex.

Activities will be carried out at the Department of Medical Radiation Physics in Lund, and experimental MR equipment is available at Lund University Bioimaging Centre (LBIC) as well as at Skåne University Hospital (SUS). A large part of the experimental activities will be performed at the 7T MR equipment that functions as a national resource for development of MR methods in diagnostic, physiological, and neuroscientific research.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who have either completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

Additionally, to be accepted for third-cycle studies in Medical Radiation Physics the applicant must have a MSc degree in Medical Physics (or an equivalent foreign degree), or completed an alternative university education to achieve basic eligibility equivalent to 240 credits, of which courses of at least 60 credits are directly relevant for the doctoral studies announced here, and has completed a research project thesis (MSc thesis, or equivalent) corresponding to at least 30 credits.

Other requirements:

  • Experience of work within MR physics
  • Completed advanced degree project aimed at MRI
  • Knowledge of fMRI
  • Knowledge and experience in programming using high-level programs like MATLAB and Python
  • Ability to communicate well in spoken and written English, to a standard that allows writing of scientific publications in a linguistically acceptable manner

Collaboration capacity is of great importance. Admission to third level (doctoral) studies is based primarily on the evaluated ability of the student to pursue and benefit from such studies.

Application
The application is to be made online. An incomplete application will not be processed.

The application must contain: 

  • 1 CV
  • 2 A copy of the 30 ECTS credits master's degree thesis (or equivalent)
  • 3 Copies of certificates and documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

Type of employment 


Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment 2020-04-01 or according to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/574
Contact
  • Linda Knutsson, Professor, +46 46 178547, linda.knutsson@med.lu.se
  • Magdalena Brossing, HR-coordinator, +46 46 222 95 62
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 19.Feb.2020
Last application date 04.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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