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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This is a 4 year fixed term opportunity for a motivated post-doctoral MRI physicist to work on a Wellcome Trust funded neuroimaging grant. The project centers on the novel application of hyperpolarised xenon for brain oximetry. Using multi-modal imaging methods and animal models this project seeks to understand the application of  hyperpolarised xenon to detect early signs of brain diseases associated with the cerebral vasculature (Atherosclerosis, SVD, Alzheimers). There is a clear route to human translation as these methods are already used in human research. Rigorous physiological validation of the method is the core aim. This role is not limited to Sheffield, there is opportunity to travel to London and collaborate with scientists at the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, UCL and beyond.

This role offers a chance to contribute to cutting-edge pre-clinical neuroimaging research using a 7T Bruker MRI scanner. You will acquire and analyse data, optimise acquisition parameters for arterial spin labeling and chemical shift imaging with support of existing team members. You will set up real-time image processing to high quality data collection.

The opportunity for bold, discovery science is how to interpret the data in the context of previous research, first principles of MRI physics and experimental physiology. Working closely with the new PI Isabel Christie, you will acquire hypothesis-driven data. Building upon established tracer kinetic models and prior research at Sheffield, you will tailor image processing methods to derive the value of this data to diagnose deficits of gas exchange and blood brain barrier physiology.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop a quantitative multimodal neuroimaging tool for tissue oxygenation analysis.
• Plan pulse sequences and acquisition parameters.
• Communicate engineering requirements to colleagues/companies to generate robust solutions where required (RF coil, ventilator circuits). 
• Assess and optimise data quality in real time during acquisition.
• Optimise xenon acquisition to test the hypotheses outlined in the grant drawing on the literature, local expertise and collaborators.
• Optimise ASL acquisition to test the hypotheses outlined in the grant drawing on the literature, local expertise and collaborators.
• Assist the PI to implement a data management plan for MRI Bruker data which adheres to the FAIR principles.
• Present results to members of the research group, to collaborators and to external audiences in national and international conferences.
• Potential to implement additional MRI methods used by other researchers to  quantify  perfusion or oximetry. 
• Continuously monitor and check results, amending project plans as required to accommodate new developments.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification (aim for 8-10 criteria - max 12)

Technical Skills   -    programming proficiency (C, Matlab, Python)

• hands on MRI experience
• image processing skills

Soft skills

• excellent verbal and written communication
• ability to diagnose engineering problems and seek solutions
• time management

Experience

      -    work with MRI (preferably pre-clinical, Bruker)

• interest in cerebrovascular diseases related to brain ageing
• multi-modal data integration

Values

• collaborative and engaged with open science initiatives

• determined and practical to complete project deliverables
• ambitious and highly motivated

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Honours degree in Physics/(2.1 or higher) (Application Form)
• PhD (or near completion) in MRI Physics or Medical Image Computing (Application Form)
• Track record of publication in MR or imaging journals, with at least one first author publication (Application Form)
• Evidence of programming proficiency
• Experience of working in an interdisciplinary team (Application Form)
• Evidence of project completion, working to deadlines and good time management
• Evidence of image processing outputs (Assessed at Interview)
• Ability to manage an independent original research project
• Attention to detail, proven ability to keep accurate and reliable records
• An understanding of open science - evidence of good practise (Application Form)

Desirable criteria

• pre-clinical Bruker experience
• PIL license holder

Further Information

Grade: 7.5

Salary: £40,497-£44,128

Work arrangement: Full-time/ hybrid

Duration: October 2025 - October 2029

Line manager: Principal Investigator

Direct reports: N/A

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph

For informal enquiries about this job and the recruiting department contact
[Isabel Christie], [Wellcome Trust Career Development Researcher ]: on i.christie@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on Monday 16th June. This will consist of interview, presentation, test and tour. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 2nd June 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact clinmed-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 02/05/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.