We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoc candidate (2-year period) to work on combining MR Electric Impedance Tomography (MREIT) with realistic electric field calculations for use in individual dose control of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS). It is a central part of a larger project headed by Associate Professor Axel Thielscher (Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, DRCMR & Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, DTU) which aims at establishing a rationale dose control for TDCS and exploring the effects of higher current strengths for TDCS. The project is performed in collaboration with Professor Hartwig Siebner (DRCMR) and Professor Gottfried Schlaug (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston).
We aim to leverage our recently developed MREIT methods and FEM models of the TDCS-induced electric fields based on our well-established SimNIBS package (www.simnibs.org) to quantify the physical stimulation strength of TDCS at the individual brain level. By comparing the individual fields with multimodal assessments of TDCS-induced brain activity changes and behavioral stimulation effects, we will assess dose-response relationships for several TDCS montages targeting the motor cortex to optimize their physiological effects.
Qualifications
Your main focus in the project will be on the further improvement of our MREIT methods and their integration with the FEM-based electric field calculations for model verification and calibration. You should have a PhD degree in physics, computer science, biomedical engineering or equivalent academic qualifications. Prior experience in MR physics, numerical methods for field calculations, MREIT or MRCDI reconstruction methods or EEG/MEG inverse methods are desirable. Good programming skills are necessary, preferably in Matlab, Python and C/C++. The successful candidate must be highly motivated and have the ability to efficiently structure his or her own work while at the same time being willing to contribute to the project team. He or she should have a general interest in neuroscientific topics.
We offer
You will join the Neurophysics group, headed by Axel Thielscher, that develops advanced biophysical methods to improve transcranial brain stimulation. You will work on a highly interesting and challenging international project that comprises activities at DRCMR, the Technical University of Denmark, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the MR Center of the Max-Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (Germany). Your position will be hosted at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR), Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre. DRCMR is one of the leading research centres in Europe within the field of biomedical MRI. Our mission is to triangulate neuroscience, MR physics, and clinical research. Approximately 70 researchers from a diverse range of disciplines are currently pursuing basic and clinically applied neuroscience research with a focus on MRI and neurostimulation. The DRCMR is embedded in the Center for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, a large diagnostic imaging department including all biomedical imaging modalities at Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre. DRCMR has close interaction with clinicians and radiologists and a state-of-the-art MR-research infrastructure, which includes a pre-clinical 7T MR scanner, six whole-body MR scanners (one 7T, three 3T and two 1.5T scanners), a neuropsychology laboratory, an EEG laboratory, and two laboratories for non-invasive brain stimulation. Working language is English. Proficiency in Danish is not required.
Salary and appointment terms
Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Regions (Danske Regioner) and the relevant professional organization. The salary depends on background education and seniority. Further, supplements can be negotiated. Note that candidates coming from abroad may be eligible for tax reductions. The position is open for candidates of all nationalities. The period of employment is two years.
Further information
You are welcome to directly contact Associate Professor Axel Thielscher () for further information. You are welcome to send informal inquiries to this e-mail address. However, the full application must be handed in online as described below.
Application
Please apply online until latest April 15th. Incoming applications will be continuously evaluated. Applications must be submitted on-line through the RegionH job portal following the link "Apply", and should include:
- A letter motivating the application together with the names of three referees (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- BSc/MSc diploma and PhD certificate, preferentially including grade transcripts into the ECTS grading scale
To get to the RegionH job portal, click HERE.
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their PhD degree, but cannot begin before having received it. All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.