Postdoctoral Position in Biomedical Engineering
University of Antwerp
Belgium

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

As part of a large multidisciplinary research project, we are seeking three highly motivated and talented PhD students to develop and benchmark cutting-edge super-resolution imaging technologies. The project aims to establish a comprehensive approach for ultra-high-content, multimodal imaging of the neurodegenerative mouse brain. Specifically, we will enhance the spatial resolution of three complementary imaging modalities—diffusion-weighted MRI, arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI, and light sheet microscopy—and integrate these technologies to provide unprecedented insights into incurable brain diseases, such as Huntington’s Disease. This research builds on strong collaborations and complementary expertise between the imec-Vision Lab (image reconstruction, processing, and analysis), the Bio-Imaging Lab (preclinical neuro-MRI), and the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology (cell biology and advanced microscopy). These teams are founding partners of the µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence and bring extensive experience from their pioneering work in these fields (more info).

For this specific position, the imec-Vision Lab (Department of Physics) and the Bio-Imaging Lab (Department of Biomedical Sciences) are looking for a full-time doctoral scholarship holder in the field of super-resolution diffusion MRI for predicting biological brain content.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of microstructure imaging with diffusion MRI. You will develop a super-resolution reconstruction framework specifically tailored to biophysical modelling to better resolve the microstructure of the brain. Once validated, you will assess the framework in a mouse model of Huntington’s Disease.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project and present your work through posters and presentations at (inter)national conferences.
• You will be embedded in two research teams (imec-Vision Lab and Bio-Imaging Lab), and work in collaboration with the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, offering complementary expertise in a stimulating multidisciplinary environment.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in (Biomedical) Engineering, (Biomedical) Physics, Computer Science or (Applied) Mathematics, or you will have obtained it by the time you start work. Last-year master students (graduating in summer 2025) are encouraged to apply.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• You have a keen interest in medical imaging of the brain and biomedical research in general.
• You have excellent programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB, …).
• You are skilled in mathematical optimization and preferably have experience with solving large linear systems (e.g. numpy) and large-scale inverse/optimization problems (e.g. scipy, cvxopt, pylops, …).
• Experience with large data sets and GPU computing (e.g. CUDA); and/or experience with MRI acquisition & image processing are considered a bonus.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can work independently, creatively, and efficiently, with attention to quality and integrity.
• You are a strong team player with the ability to cooperate and succeed in a dynamic international environment.
• You can speak and write fluently in English, and you have excellent communication skills.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship will be renewed once for another two-year period. 
• The planned start date is between 1 May 2025 and 1 September 2025.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.   
• You will work in a stimulating, multidisciplinary consortium for high-level neuroscience research, with state-of-the-art imaging infrastructure.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 23 February 2025 (by 23:59 Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
• a motivation letter
• your academic CV, including a transcript of your study results and contact details of two references.
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Please note the following dates in your calendar: selection interviews will take place on 4 or 5 March 2025.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. Ben Jeurissen (ben.jeurissen@uantwerpen.be) and Prof. Dr. Daniele Bertoglio (daniele.bertoglio@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.