Job Description

Mission

Dr Cristina Cudalbu from the CIBM Pre-Clinical Imaging EPFL Metabolic Imaging Section is looking for

a highly motivated PostDoc candidate

working in the area of

diffusion weighted MR spectroscopy/spectroscopic imaging (dMRS/dMRSI)

at ultra-high magnetic fields and

cross-validation of metabolite diffusion metrics

using both 3D brain cell organoids and in vivo rodent models.


This project is part of an interdisciplinary collaborative SNSF proposal and will take advantage of the: 1) unique bioimaging facilities of the CIBM MRI EPFL, in particular the

ultra-high field 9.4T and 14.1T

in vivo

MR systems, two cryo-probes and the first PET/MR insert for preclinical studies in Switzerland,

and 2) unique

consortium of 4 PIs

(Cudalbu, Jelescu, Sizonenko, Braissant)

enrolling 2 PhDs and 7 PostDocs for this project

.

Main duties and responsibilities

Our goal is to push further a new concept for quantification and validation of brain microstructure through diffusion of brain metabolites and water at cellular and sub-cellular scale, by implementing dMRSI acquisitions and metabolite diffusion modeling techniques validated with 2-photon microscopy (2PEF) and mass spectrometry (MS). Our target application is the critical period of brain development and associated potential injury, that we will assess using both 3D brain cell organoids (validation of metabolite diffusion metrics) and in vivo rodent models.

The candidate

will push dMRS methodology to a next level with regards to 1) spatial resolution by developing dMRSI at ultra-high fields; 2) MR acceleration ((sparse k-space sampling, spatial-spectral encoding), thus going beyond the state-of-the-art in preclinical studies.



The PostDoc will work closely together, and will strongly and synergistically interact with the other PhD and PostDocs enrolled on the same project who will: 1) develop joint spectral-diffusion fitting, joint water-metabolite fitting and machine learning on realistic numerical substrates; 2) measure for the first-time living 3D brain cell organoids at different stages of development as well as under ischemia and creatine deficiency, using the dMRSI approaches developed herein; 3) go beyond traditional microstructural validation using 2PEF microscopy (validation of exact morphology of living neural cells) and MS (validation of brain metabolite compartmentation in specific neural cells) using for the first time 3D brain cell organoids; 4) evaluate in vivo the level of biological sensitivity and specificity of underlying microstructural changes through metabolite diffusion models in two pathological conditions.

Profile

PhD degree in in-vivo MRS/dMRS and/or MRI/dMRI. preclinical MRI experimental skills Ambitious scientists with initiative, curiosity, natural taste for problem solving. Experience in programming (i.e. Matlab, Python). Proficient in English, both verbal and in writing. Good team spirit Independent, creative and solution-oriented Strong motivation to explore new research domains

We offer

A stimulating and international working environment Competitive salary and excellent working conditions - more information can be found on our website (https://www.epfl.ch/campus/services/human-resources/en/basic-starting-salary-of-doctoral-assistants-and-postdocs/) Opportunity to perform state-of-the-art research in one of the most dynamic scientific institutions in Europe. Opportunity to interact with internationally renowned experts, and with a strong team of postdoctoral researchers and PhD students

Informations

Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered. You are asked to supply:
A brief cover letter (pdf, up to 2 pages).

And in one PDF:
A CV with a publication list. A research statement (pdf, up to 3 pages). Contact details for 3 referees.




For any further information, please contact: cristina.cudalbu@epfl.ch



Contract Start Date : as soon as possible

Activity Rate : 50.00

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 12 mois

Reference: 1611