Thursday, March 31, 2011

Research Fellow on Imaging Neurodegeneration
SBIC Singapore

Several postdoc positions are available in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Group, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC) in Singapore. The research focus of the group is on the development of MRI methods and imaging biomarkers for detection of neurodegeneration and regeneration in rodent models. One project is to study the structural and functional connectivity in rat/mouse models of axonal degeneration using techniques such as DTI, magnetization transfer, resting-state fMRI, etc. The other project is to develop functional imaging, including BOLD/CBV fMRI, perfusion, manganese enhanced MRI, CEST and PET, to understand how metabolic disorders such as diabetes exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. We have very active interdisciplinary research teams consisting of people from engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and neuroscience backgrounds. We also have extensive collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies to develop new methods for evaluating drug effects in the brain.

The successful candidate will have chance to work at the Clinical Imaging Research Center to translate the methods into clinical applications. The center currently hosts a Siemens 3T TIM Trio system and is expanding to include more imaging modalities and higher field MRI.

Institute and Resources:

SBIC is a national research institute dedicating on advancing pre-clinical imaging and its translation to clinical applications. SBIC is composed of four major labs studying from animal models, imaging probe design, imaging techniques, to data processing. For further information about SBIC, please visit our website: http://www.sbic.a-star.edu.sg/.

The lab currently hosts a Varian 9.4T MRI, a Bruker 7T ClinScan MRI, a Bruker 400MHz NMR, a NanoSPECT/CT, a Siemens microPET/CT, and a hyperpolarizer (Hypersense). Another 9.4T MRI and a 600MHz NMR microimager will be installed in 2012. Other facilities include a chemistry lab for imaging probe development, a molecular biology lab for developing transgenic animal models, and the SBIC-Nikon imaging center, which hosts all the advanced live cell optical imaging systems by Nikon. We also have access to animal behavior and radiochemistry facilities.

Qualifications:

We welcome highly-motivated people who want to explore new ideas and multidisciplinary researches to apply. Preferred background includes, but not limited to, neuroscience, physics, and engineering. Prior experience with in vivo MRI/NMR, programming language (C or Matlab), image processing and rodent imaging is preferred.

Contact Info:

Interested candidates should submit his/her CV to the following address: recruit@sbic.a-star.edu.sg.


Research Fellow on Functional Neuroimaging

Postdoc positions are available in the Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC) in Singapore. CIRC is a national research institute jointly funded by the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC, A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore dedicated on advancing imaging techniques for clinical applications.

The research focus is on the development of quantitative arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI and fMRI methods to evaluate the disease progress and drug effects. One project is to detect functional connectivity and its correlation with structural connectivity and perfusion in brain development, stroke and dementia. Another project is to study the pharmacological activation and modulation of the brain function. The results will be correlated or validated by other imaging modality like PET. We have active collaboration with clinician in the National University Hospital, KK Children and Women Hospital and pharmaceutical companies. The postdoc will also have close interaction with scientists working in pre-clinical imaging at the Singapore Bioimaging Consortium to translate knowledge/methods between bench and bedside.

Facility and Equipment:

The Clinical Imaging Research Centre currently hosts a Siemens 3T TIM Trio system and is expanding to incorporate a cyclotron, radiochemistry, PET/CT, MRI-PET, and another high field MRI in 2011 with the opening of the new CIRC building.

Qualifications:

We welcome highly-motivated people who want to explore new ideas and multidisciplinary researches to apply. Preferred Ph.D. background includes, but not limited to, physics, computer science, neuroscience and engineering. Prior experience with programming language (C or Matlab) and/or MRI are required. Experience with sequence programming (especially IDEA) is preferable.

The position will start with a 3-year contract and can be renewed depending on performance. The salary is competitive based on experience.

Contact Info:

Interested candidates should submit his/her CV to the following address: CIRC-Recruit@bmsi.a-star.edu.sg.