Project description
The aim of this PhD project is to study the structure and organization of the vascular network in a pathological context. Our interdisciplinary and international team of physicists, biomedical engineers, mathematicians, biologists, radiologists and pathologists has recently demonstrated that the structural organization of the vasculature can be assessed usingmultifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (mMRE).
The propagation of shear waves in biological tissues provides information on their underlying microstructure. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can be used to measure the propagation of these waves in vivo, and to deduce the biomechanical properties of tissues. In clinical practice, MRE is already well established for assessing liver stiffness in fibrosis and other pathologies.
The method developed in this project extends current ERM applications by bridging the scale gap between shear wave wavelengths and microvascular spacing, enabling non-invasive, macroscopic assessment of vascular architecture. This work is of immediate clinical interest, as many diseases are associated with alterations in the vascular network.
Missions
The PhD student will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Development of an mMRE processing chain based on existing mathematical models and computational approaches
- Analysis of a large mMRE dataset from a preclinical stroke model and validation of imaging results using existing histopathological data
- Transposition of the method to human imaging, including optimization of sequences, adaptation of the processing chain and a proof-of-concept pilot study in healthy volunteers.
- Comparison of results with reference values from human brain atlases
Who we are and what we offer
We are an interdisciplinary, international team that has been working closely together on MRE-related projects for over 15 years.
Prof. Dr Ralph Sinkus is an MRI physicist and recognized expert in the field of MRE. His laboratory in Paris (CRI, U1149, INSERM) has extensive experience in in vivo and in vitro mechanical imaging.
Dr Katharina Schregel is a radiologist specializing in neuroradiology and deputy head of section at Jena University Hospital. She is a clinician-researcher and an expert in preclinical and clinical MRE applied to brain pathologies.
Both teams offer access to state-of-the-art MRI platforms and an excellent scientific infrastructure.
We propose:
- A structured doctoral program with regular meetings, progress reports and external supervision, plus co-direction by Prof. Dr. Sinkus and Dr. Schregel.
- An interdisciplinary and international research environment
- An innovative, translational project with strong clinical relevance
- Remuneration in line with the INSERM doctoral salary scale, plus travel expenses between Paris and Jena .
- The possibility of part-time teleworking
Profile required
We are looking for a motivated candidate, ready to evolve in an interdisciplinary and international environment, with main supervision in Paris (France) and Jena (Germany). Although the position is based in Paris, regular travel and part-time work in Jena are required.
Expected profile:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (medical imaging, biomedical engineering, physics or related)
- Programming experience(C++ required, Python appreciated)
- Fluency in spoken and written English; notions of French and/or German a plus
- Compulsory enrolment in a Parisian doctoral school and willingness to complete the doctorate in France; additional affiliation with the university hospital as a visiting researcher
- Experience in MRI and medical image analysis is an asset; motivation and willingness to learn are essential
Short version
Doctorate in medical imaging – mMRE and vascular architecture
We are offering a PhD position for Master’s graduates wishing to specialize in medical imaging and MRI. The project concerns the characterization of vascular architecture using multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (mMRE), an innovative method with high clinical impact.
The PhD will be carried out in collaboration between INSERM (Paris) and Jena (Germany), with access to state-of-the-art MRI platforms and international supervision.
Profile: Master’s degree in a relevant field, C++ skills, fluent English, enrolled in a Parisian doctoral school.Conditions: Salary according to INSERM doctoral scale, travel support, partial teleworking possible.