Postdoctoral Research Associate

Thanks to the recent award of a DFG-Middle East grant, the Frydman (Rehovot) and Utz (Karlsruhe) labs are seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral position aimed at the development of new in vivo approaches for advancing the study, diagnosis and prognosis of cancer based on emerging spectroscopic MRI techniques. The emphasis of these studies will be tailoring the ultrahigh field, multinuclear capabilities available at both Institutes (15.2T animal MRI, 7T human MRI, 18.8T microimaging) for optimizing the information available from spectroscopic imaging of deuterium, carbon and nitrogen nuclei. Key technologies that the candidate will be working on, include:

1. Cryogenically cooled spectroscopic MRI methods targeting low-𝛾 nuclei in combination with 1H imaging, tailored for our ultrahigh field facilities;

2. New experiments that based on steady-state free-precession (SSFP) single and multiple-resonance sequences, should lead to dramatic sensitivity enhancement of metabolic MRI;

3. AI and ML algorithms capable of further denoising the images and of extracting early changes in the metabolic status of cancer, directly from the sensitivity enhanced MRI data

Funding for the position is available for two years with the option of renewal based on mutual agreement. While aimed at recruiting scientists with PhD experience in any area of magnetic resonance, applications from candidates which have received MRI/NMR training during the course of Master studies will also be considered. The candidate’s work will be based at the Weizmann Institute, who will be the postdoc’s employer; however, significant stays in the Karlsruhe lab are also envisioned. Weizmann is arguably Israel's premier scientific institution; it is located in a small, affordable and friendly town at the feet of the Judean hills. It is a research center whose official language is English, and which offers numerous facilities to international visitors, including furnished apartments for postdocs. From its inception the Institute has shown an unequivocal commitment to all areas of magnetic resonance, and over the years it has made extensive investments in MR faculty, staff and infrastructure. As a result the Institute possesses several 400 and 600 MHz instruments with microimaging/solids/liquids facilities, an 800 MHz NMR with solids/microimaging/cryoprobe accessories, a 1 GHz machine equipped with three cryoprobes, animal scanners at 7 and 9.4T, a cryoprobe-equipped 15.2T multinuclear animal MRI scanner, 3T and 7T whole-body Prisma and Terra human MRI scanners with massively parallel transmit and receive technologies and multinuclear options, a number of DNP hyperpolarizers, and numerous (dozens) of other NMR instruments placed in various magnetic resonance buildings. Close to ten research groups involved in all areas of magnetic resonance use these facilities and partake of shared research and teaching programs, lending a uniquely vibrant atmosphere for professional development.