Research Associate/Senior Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a Postdoc MRI physicist wanted for World's First Multi-Site PTx 7T MRI Epilepsy Trial at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge (Up to 4 Year Fixed Term, funding in the first instance to 31st July 2029)

Be part of history. Join us at Cambridge to help deliver the world's first multi-site trial of ultra-high field 7T MRI to transform the treatment of severe epilepsy.

Why this matters:

Severe epilepsy stops patients working and socialising. It is dangerous and can cause sudden death or injury, bringing fear to families. For one-third of patients, medications fail and surgery is the only cure. But surgery only works if we can confidently locate the "lesion" causing the seizures. Current 1.5T/3T MRI and FDG-PET scans fail too often leaving patients facing depth-electrode testing, which is invasive and expensive.

The opportunity:

We've just shown that parallel transmit 7T MRI produces the best images for detecting epilepsy lesions (see our paper in Epilepsia: https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.18353 and coverage in the press: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/21/new-brain-scan-method-could-help-people-with-drug-resistant-epilepsy). Now, with £3.9M funding from MRC, we're installing Siemens' new CE-certified 7T Terra.X scanner in Cambridge and running the definitive clinical study to prove 7T's value for the health service in partnership with King's College London.

Your role:

• Develop and optimise cutting-edge 7T MRI protocols for clinical epilepsy imaging.
• Develop analysis pipelines to extract quantitative measures from our images.
• Work at the intersection of physics, image analysis and clinical neurology.
• Collaborate with leading clinicians, MRI physicists, and AI analysis experts.
• Help turn a world-first technology into a widely-available NHS service.

What we offer:

• A high-profile project with direct patient impact.
• Support to shape your research identity in translational neuroimaging.
• Access to the latest 7T Terra.X ultra-high field scanner with enhanced gradient performance and integrated PTx capabilities.
• A collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment at one of the world's top universities.

What you bring:

• PhD (or submitted) in MRI Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, or related field
• Strong quantitative/programming skills
• Strong communication skills (writing papers, giving talks)
• Curiosity, drive, and a taste for ambitious projects in a multidisciplinary environment

Bonus: experience in MRI protocol development or MRI analysis.

Contract: up to 4 years fixed term. Senior Research Associate status available for eligible candidates. SRA status is awarded based on individual merit. Appointment is made at SRA (or equivalent) level, subject to applicants meeting the relevant criteria and approval by the Faculty Board.

Please note that Faculty Board approval is required before any job offer at SRA (or equivalent) level can be made.

Closing Date: 10^th October 2025

Interviews: 21^st October 2025

Apply now and help change care available to patients with severe epilepsy.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

For informal inquiries, contact Prof Chris Rodgers ctr28@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference ZE47340 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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