PhD student

PhD Student*in (m/w/d) in präklinischer kardialer MRT

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) is one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions. Max Delbrück, a Berlin native, was a Nobel laureate and one of the founders of molecular biology. At the MDC’s locations in Berlin-Buch and Mitte, researchers from some 60 countries analyze the human system – investigating the biological foundations of life from its most elementary building blocks to systems-wide mechanisms. By understanding what regulates or disrupts the dynamic equilibrium in a cell, an organ, or the entire body, we can prevent diseases, diagnose them earlier, and stop their progression with tailored therapies. Patients should benefit as soon as possible from basic research discoveries. The MDC therefore supports spin-off creation and participates in collaborative networks. It works in close partnership with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in the jointly run Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Founded in 1992, the MDC today employs 1,600 people and is funded 90 percent by the German federal government and 10 percent by the State of Berlin.

The Experimental Ultra-High Field MR group, headed by Professor Thoralf Niendorf, is seeking a PhD student with a background in physics or engineering or a related field with a prior experience in cardio MRI (CMR). The candidate will be involved in the project "Non-invasive Monitoring of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using Cardiac MRI to track the kinetics of myocardial microstructural changes and to predict disease progression in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).” The candidate will be deeply involved with preclinical MRI data acquisition and analysis, in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science. A requirement for the candidate is a strong incentive to drive CMR in the HCM model and the interpretation of its data with the help of state-of-the-art methods in AI and data sciences.
We are looking for as soon as possible:
A PhD student in physics, engineering or a related field

Job Description

• Optimization of cardiac MRI data acquisition using novel MRI pulse sequencing to quantify changes during pathology in small animals.
• Analysis of MRI data e.g. spatial orientation and registration of MRI data to correct motion artifacts and contouring of desired regions of interest.
• Evaluation of temporal relationship between imaging events using statistical methods such as time series analysis.
• Develop machine learning algorithms to predict disease progression using data acquired in the HCM model.
• Collaborate with other project participants to quantitatively study and correlate MRI imaging markers with histologic parameters and identify dependencies in heart disease progression.
• Collaborate with internal and external groups and present own work in the form of lectures, reports and publications (papers and dissertation).

Requirements

• Ability to work in a team, proactive learning, interdisciplinary thinking, high level of initiative and commitment
• University degree (diploma/master's degree) in physics, engineering or a related field
• General technical understanding and experimental skills, particularly with the MR method
• Practical experience in acquisition and processing of MRI data
• Experience in programming languages such as Python, Matlab, etc.
• Basic knowledge of cardiovascular topics
• Previous experience with small rodents is a plus

We offer

• International working environment with communication in English and German
• Interesting career opportunities and a comprehensive range of qualification and further training opportunities
• Compatibility of family and career certified by the berufundfamilie audit
• Varied support for "New Berliners" (Welcome & Family Office)
• Company health management with fitness center

You also benefit from:

• A remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the federal public service (TVöD-Bund), including additional company pension schemes
• Flexible working hours and childcare support
• An idyllic green campus, which is easily accessible by bicycle, public transport or car
• A secure job, even in uncertain times
• Subsidy for the job ticket as well as discounts in the campus canteen
• Additional health benefits such as flu vaccination, eye test, ergonomics advice at the workplace, hygiene measures (medical mouth-nose protection, self-tests, disinfectants)
• The possibility of mobile working - also independent of the Corona situation
• Free use of Nextbike from the Buch S-Bahn station to the campus

Further Information:

http://www.mdc-berlin.de/