The Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, University of Nottingham is seeking to recruit two Research Associate/Fellows in the field of magnetoencephalography (MEG). Successful candidates will work on developing and applying novel ways to measure and understand the intrinsic modes of functional coupling between functionally specific brain regions. Specifically, areas of development will include: i) New ways to model neural oscillations in local circuits; ii) Novel methods to characterize long range linear and non-linear coupling and iii) Measurement of dynamic changes in functional connectivity during basic sensory and cognitive tasks. In addition, since electrophysiological activity and connectivity is mediated by neurochemistry, successful candidates will also be involved in performing parallel ultra-high field (7T) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (^1 H and ^13 C) experiments in order to relate the concentration of cortical neurotransmitters (glutamate/GABA) to electrophysiological metrics in MEG. Finally these metrics will be applied in schizophrenia in order to gain new insight into how impaired network activity and connectivity underlies core symptoms.
The University of Nottingham has been at the forefront of imaging since the introduction of MRI in the 1970’s. Indeed a rich history of novel developments resulted in the award of a Nobel Prize to Sir Peter Mansfield in 2003. The Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre (SPMMRC), now headed by Prof. Peter Morris, remains at the forefront of neuroimaging development with significant contributions in the fields of MRI, MEG, multi-modal imaging, and simultaneous EEG/fMRI. The Centre is equipped with a 275 channel MEG, 7T, 3T and 1.5T MR systems as well as MR compatible 64 channel EEG. In addition, a £9m investment by the Medical Research Council (announced in October 2014) will see upgrades to 7T and MEG as well as the introduction of wide bore 3T and upright MRI systems, to begin in 2015.
Candidates should have a PhD (or equivalent) or be nearing completion in neuroimaging and strong interest/experience in developing methods plus an undergraduate degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics or appropriately related discipline.
There are two fixed term posts available, one for two years and one for three years duration from 1 January 2015.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Matt Brookes, tel: 0115 9515188 or email matthew.brookes@nottingham.ac.uk mailto:matthew.brookes@nottingham.ac.uk.