Postdoctoral Scientist - MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit - MC/371

Open Date
09/11/2016, 15:00
Close Date
12/12/2016, 23:55
MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit
The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBU) is an internationally renowned institute for research in cognitive neuroscience.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

MRC - 4
Cambridge
£27,355 - £32,648
Fixed Term
Science
Full Time
2 years

Overall purpose:

The post-holder will work as a member of the Methods Group at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBU) with responsibility for developing and evaluating MRI methods and sequences for a range of applications of 7T MRI in cognitive neuroscience, focusing on high-resolution fMRI and laminar-specific BOLD. There is also potential to extend the scope of the work to include high-resolution structural imaging, susceptibility-based imaging and spectroscopy. The work will be carried out on the Cambridge 7T MRI scanner based at the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre (WBIC) at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, due to be operational in November 2016. This will be the first of the latest generation of 7T Siemens Terra scanners in the world.

The post-holder will be line-managed by Dr Marta Correia and will also work closely with other researchers at the CBU, including Professor Richard Henson, Dr Niko Kriegeskorte and Professor James Rowe. S/he will also collaborate with members of the MRI Physics team at the WBIC, which includes three physicists working exclusively on 7T MRI.

The post-holder’s work will enable new neuroimaging projects that target key research questions in cognitive neuroscience of central interest to Programme Leaders at the CBU. The position also offers scope for independent research and methods development.


Main duties / key responsibilities:

  • Develop, implement and evaluate pulse sequences and protocols for laminar specific BOLD fMRI at 7T:
  • Liaise with researchers regarding appropriate MR methods to address their scientific objectives
  • Translate advances in the field into research activity
  • Support researchers in using and evaluating methods for 7T MRI research.
  • Contribute to the training and development of researchers using the 7T facility to aid their understanding of the MR technology, its uses and limitations.
  • Keep abreast with the latest methodological developments on functional and structural imaging acquisition and analysis, e.g. by reading the relevant literature and attending relevant conferences.
  • Carry out research projects independently or collaboratively within the mission of the CBU. This may involve the supervision of undergraduate and graduate students where appropriate.
  • Preparation of scientific articles and conference papers
  • assist or lead on the dissemination of results through peer-reviewed publication
  • present at scientific meetings

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential:

PhD in or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline (physics or engineering), either awarded or about to submit

Experience of MRI in a research context

Desirable:

Experience in ultra-high field MRI

Post-doctoral research experience

Publications at first- and co-author level


Previous work experience required:

Essential:

Research experience in MRI and neuroimaging, in particular MRI sequence development and evaluation

Desirable:

Experience in MRI at 7T or above

Experience of Siemens MRI scanners

Experience in neuroimaging and analysis of MRI data (particularly using SPM, FSL, freesurfer or other common tools)


Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

Experience with development of MRI sequences and protocols

Demonstrable skills in programming (e.g, Linux, Matlab, Python)

Desirable:

Experience with pulse programming (preferably on a Siemens platform)

Experience with high-resolution fMRI

Experience analysing data sets from 7T MRI scanners

Experience applying MRI methods to questions in cognitive or clinical neuroscience


Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential:

Work effectively in a team and communicate with people from multiple disciplines, e.g. as a collaborator in research projects

Excellent communication and organisational skills

Scientific rigour and an attention to detail

Ability to write clearly and logically, and an interest in publishing in peer-reviewed high-impact journals and other forms of dissemination




The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

This opportunity is closed to applications.