Postdoctoral researcher in Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation

Danish Research Centre
for Magnetic Resonance

The ‘Control of Movement’ group @ DRCMR ([email protected]) is seeking candidates for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship within the area of Precision Brain Stimulation. We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to conduct research at the intersection of brain stimulation and neuroimaging. Join a young and energetic team, as we expand our efforts within state-of-the-art brain stimulation.

You will head our efforts to steer transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (TFUS) to deep brain targets otherwise inaccessible to non-invasive brain stimulation. You will be part of a transdisciplinary group working at the forefront of non-invasive brain stimulation. We strive to bring non-invasive brain stimulation research to the highest level of precision and efficacy by combining TFUS with computational targeting and dosing along with concurrent (EEG) and subsequent (fMRI) neuroimaging.

Summary of the project: In this collaborative and translational project, we will use acoustic modelling to determine position and intensity of stimulation, and employ EEG and fMRI to investigate neural effects of stimulating deep cerebellar nuclei. TFUS is a novel and emergent brain stimulation modality, and there is still much to learn. In contrast to other non-invasive brain stimulation modalities, TFUS can penetrate deep into the brain with high precision, which allows us to manipulate deep brain targets directly for the first time. By combining TFUS with neuroimaging we can, for the first time, address questions related to how the cerebellar output influence movement initiation and control in humans.

Your role: You will plan, execute, and analyze results from experiments combining TFUS with EEG and fMRI.
You will design and conduct TFUS experiments using event-related EEG to evaluate immediate effects and fMRI at 3T to evaluate after-effects.
You will write the data up for publication and dissemination.

Essential skills & experience:
• Practical research experience with EEG and/or fMRI
• Proficiency in signal processing and analysis of EEG and/or fMRI

• Coding skills in Python and/or Matlab

• PhD in biomedical/electrical engineering, clinical medicine, neuroscience, or related field

• Prior refereed journal publications

• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills

Advantageous skills & experience:
• Experience in applying transcranial brain stimulation and in conducting human neurophysiological experiments with an understanding of the strengths and limitations of various study designs

• Experience in combining transcranial brain stimulation with brain mapping for dose-response characterization

Working at DRCMR. You will be part of the ‘Control of Movement’ group, headed by Lasse Christiansen at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance (www.drcmr.dk) based at Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with engineers, neurologists, psychologists, and interact with other groups at DRCMR.

DRCMR is a leading research center for brain stimulation and biomedical MRI in Europe. Approximately 75 researchers from a diverse range of disciplines are currently pursuing basic and clinically applied research. 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 the Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark. DRCMR has a state-of-the-art MR-research infrastructure enabling translational research, which includes a pre-clinical 7T MR scanner, six whole-body MR scanners (one 7T, three 4T and two 1.5T scanners) and a High-Performance Computer cluster dedicated for neuroimaging data. The DRCMR has pre-clinical labs, a neuropsychology laboratory, an EEG laboratory, and five laboratories for precision brain circuit stimulation. It is situated ~25mins cycle ride from central Copenhagen, a city consistently ranked one of the highest in the world for quality of life.

Application deadline: 21st May 2024. Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in May / early June.

Starting date: expected to be 1st August 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary and terms of Employment. You will be employed for a period of 24 months at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance. 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. We see diversity as a strength and encourage all candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disabilities or religion to apply.

Application details: Applications should include a cover letter, CV, list of publications & research outputs, together with the names of three references.

Applications must be submitted on-line through the RegionH job portal.

For further information regarding the position please contact Research Fellow Lasse Christiansen: [email protected] , Phone# +4553853305

Department:
Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre

Kettegård Allé 30, Hvidovre

Lokation: Hvidovre Hospital

Application deadline: 21 May 2024