The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

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

We have an exciting opportunity available for an experienced MRI physicist / engineer to join the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield. The successful candidate will lead methodological research on magnetic resonance imaging of the lungs in adults and children (including neonates), and will be based in the POLARIS group, which is internationally recognised for research in MR methodology and clinical translation. The candidate’s research will be closely aligned with broader aims of the Section of Medical Imaging and Technologies in the Division of Clinical Medicine. 

Specifically, the candidate will develop MR image acquisition methods and pulse sequences for both proton (1H) and hyperpolarised xenon (129Xe) pulmonary / cardiac MRI applications. These will include zero- and ultra-short echo time MRI approaches adapted for the paediatric population. Software tools for motion-resolved, dynamic image reconstructions from free-breathing scans will be established, considering model-driven and AI-based approaches to image reconstruction. The candidates will be able to adapt and test their methods in cohorts of infants and/or paediatric and/or adult patients with lung disease, as part of ongoing clinical studies. The candidates will work closely with other MRI physicists and engineers, and alongside clinical partners at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Main duties and responsibilities

• MR image acquisition and pulse sequence development research for proton and xenon (129Xe) pulmonary / cardiac MRI applications.
• Optimisation of “silent” lung imaging methods and development of strategies for extracting respiratory motion information from such MR data without the use of conventional respiratory bellows.
• Development of motion-resolved, dynamic image reconstruction methods for free-breathing 1H and 129Xe lung MRI.
• Establishment of model-driven and AI approaches for learning how to decompose respiratory motion from raw k-space data in free-breathing lung MRI.
• Image computing support for pulmonary MRI applications.
• Support the development of a prototype neonatal pod for lung MRI, in collaboration with industrial partner,
• Contribute to the supervision of PhD and undergraduate students in the research group.
• Contribute to and actively participate in ongoing international collaborations with other academic, clinical and industrial research partners.
• Analyse and record data to aid future research and produce useful findings.
• Publishing high impact papers as one of the main authors.
• Present results to collaborators of the project, members of the research group and external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Contribute to MR imaging strategy in the Division for further translational research.
• 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

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 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

• Good Honours degree in Physics or Engineering (or equivalent)
• A PhD in MRI Physics / Engineering (or equivalent)
• MRI pulse sequence programming experience
• Practical experience of pulmonary MR
• Track record of publications in MR imaging journals as a first author
• Ability to help supervise PhD students and researchers in technical aspects of MRI research
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving

Desirable criteria

• MRI pulse sequence programming experience in GE EPIC environment
• Practical experience of cardiac MR imaging methods development

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £38,249 as per current university pay grades, with the potential to progress subject to performance

Work arrangement: Full time

Duration: 1st July 2025 – 30th June 2027

Line manager: Professor &/or Senior Scientist &/or Research Fellow

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

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Jen Rodgers, Research Administrative Manager: on j.rodgers@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 2159150

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late June. This will consist of an interview comprising a short presentation on the candidate’s research experience to date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 23rd 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 Jen Rodgers, Research Administrative Manager: on j.rodgers@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 2159150

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.

Criminal record

A basic with barred lists 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).

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.