PhD Candidate in AI-assisted medical imaging with MRI

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities?  As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. This is NTNU NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim. At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.     Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41s About the position We have a vacant 100% PhD position in the MRI Physics Group at the Department of Physics, NTNU. The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the  MRI Physics Group and the  X-ray Physics Group at the Department of Physics. In the MRI Physics Group, we aim to improve image quality in medical imaging for diagnostic purposes and neuroscience research. Accurate and sensitive imaging is crucial for diagnosis, research, and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. Among other techniques, we use functional MRI (fMRI), which is a method for measuring brain activity and connectivity between nerve cells. MRI measurements can be affected by magnetic field inhomogeneities, resulting in geometric distortion and signal loss in the images. The aim of the project is to investigate the potential of using Implicit Neural Representation (INR), a class of neural networks, for reconstructing MR images directly from MR signals. By incorporating a physical model of the MR signal into the training of the INR network, we aim to compensate for the effects of magnetic field inhomogeneities in the reconstructed images. Initially, this approach will be applied to functional MRI of the spinal cord, based on data acquired using a high-field MRI system (7 Tesla). NTNU hosts Norway's first, and currently only, 7T MRI system for clinical use and research. We will also investigate the broader potential of INR-based image reconstruction for various MRI applications, including industrial applications in geology. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. Duties of the position • Simulate MRI data and model disturbances arising from various physical sources • Develop, implement and train INR models for MRI time-series data • Analyze functional MRI data of the spinal cord • Present research findings in written form through academic publications • Present research findings orally and participate in international conferences • Assist with teaching activities Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria • You must have a relevant Master's degree in physics, mathematics, biomedical engineering, computer science or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than 31 August 2027.   • You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to  NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. • You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme in  Physics or  Biophysics at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, alternatively the PhD programme in  Medical Technology at the Medical Faculty. • Good oral and written presentation skills in English  • Good programming skills PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”. The appointment is to be made in accordance with  NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and  Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position. Preferred selection criteria • Experience with machine learning and neural networks • Basic knowledge of MR physics • Experience with signal processing and/or image processing • Experience with Linux systems and High Performance Computing • Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian / Scandinavian language is an advantage  Personal characteristics To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:  • Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject • Work independently and together with colleagues from different fields of research • Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them • Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions  • Present and discuss your research with other professionals Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We offer • An exciting job with an important  mission in society • Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment • Career guidance and  follow-up during the PhD period • Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues • Working capital  that can be used to implement the project • Mentor programme as a  new employee at NTNU • Favorable terms as a member of the  Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)   • Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2) As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to  employee benefits . Diversity Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is  Knowledge for a better world  and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse, and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.  We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.  If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability, and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time. Salary and conditions In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.  The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work, with the possibility of an extension related to teaching duties upon agreement with the Department. For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in  Physics or  Biophysics at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, alternatively the PhD programme in  Medical Technology at the Medical Faculty, within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment. As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them. For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution regularly. Partial home office is possible upon agreement.  The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the  State Employees Act , and  Export control (legislation that regulates the expo