Employment Opportunities within the Department
MRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship
Development of Dedicated
Paediatric Coils for
Interactive MR Imaging
University of Cambridge – Department of Radiology
Professor David J Lomas and Dr Martin Graves
*Limit of tenure applies
OUTLINE
The objective of this fully-funded 3-year PhD project is to develop new RF coils for paediatric MR imaging. The research training will incorporate an industrial placement within General Electric Healthcare, based in Cleveland, USA, a global leader in MR systems. We need a talented and enthusiastic individual to complement our research team and help us on this important and novel project, starting in October 2011.
The studentship provides full support for tuition fees, all associated research and travel costs and an annual stipend according to the MRC PhD studentship scale, anticipated to be over £15,000. The funding is only open to UK / EU nationals.
PROJECT
The project will develop novel, child friendly, efficient
and practical coils to support high quality rapid MR imaging. These
will include strategies for size adaptation, and additional support
required for fast partially parallel image (PPI). The student will
evaluate the key paediatric requirements and be actively engaged in
practical industrial designs, computer modelling of signal to noise
ratio predictions and RF power deposition (SAR) performance, leading
to a series of coils being built and evaluated with clinical
feasibility studies. It is anticipated that this project will
develop new intellectual property.
This is an opportunity to become part of a well established
MR physics group within Cambridge Radiology, whose publication track
record spans substantial scientific, technical and clinical MRI
developments. GE have extensive research and manufacturing
development facilities primarily based in Cleveland, Ohio and hold
numerous patents relating to MR coil design. During this project,
the student will be exposed to two highly stimulating research
cultures - both the high calibre academic environment of a world
class university and the industrial experience of a market leading
MR vendor. Furthermore, working within an MR Physics group that
spans both University and NHS Medical Physics means that this time
would count towards state registration as a Clinical Scientist.
Full training will be provided in all aspects of MR physics, including pulse sequence development on the GE Platform. Generic skills will be developed in statistics, research governance and ethics, presentation skills and management, as well as career planning and IP issues. Given the breath of skills covered by the research, the PhD will provide an ideal platform to progress onto a career path within the NHS, academic or industry.
REQUIREMENTS
1. The minimum academic requirement for entry is a first or upper second class degree (or equivalent, or MEng/Msc) in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science or a related area.
2. Applicants must be UK/EU nationals who have been
resident in the UK for at least three years by 1 September 2011.
3. You must be eligible for the US visa waiver program, US Student or work visa, and may need to undergo a UK Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
For more information regarding eligibility please see http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Applicanthandbook/Studentships/Stipend/index.htm
APPLICATION
Please direct any questions and applications to Professor Lomas,
Please include an
- Academic CV with
covering letter
- Official academic
transcripts
- Who & Where We Arefor two
suitable referees
- A personal statement
(750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study,
what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research
experience to date.
Applications and enquiries are invited; Closing date is Friday 18th March 2011.