Postdoctoral Associate - Human Functional MRI

Summary

The High-Resolution Brain Imaging Lab is dedicated to better understanding and use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We utilize a mixture of human experiments and computational modeling. Experiments make use of sophisticated methods in visual cortex and subcortical structures that enable detailed measurements of the physics and physiology of human brain function. We believe that fMRI provides an extremely informative window about brain function when interpreted as a quantitative metric of metabolic substrates rather than a rough correlate of neuronal electrical activity. The lab has immediate access to two top-of-the-line Siemens Prisma 3T scanners, as well as a Siemens Terra 7T scanner two blocks away at Methodist Hospital. All scanners are equipped with advanced research sequences for BOLD fMRI and ASL measurements. We have ongoing collaborations with Siemens and the University of Southern California (Danny Wang's lab) to develop novel sequences. Computational work makes use of a local cluster of high-performance compute and file servers owned exclusively by our lab.

Job Purpose

Postdoctoral Associates are trainees working in an apprenticeship mode in preparation for a career as a scientific professional.

Job Duties

• Designs, executes, and analyzes experiments that investigate the physics and physiology of brain function.
• Implements experimental designs for project goals.
• Develops appropriate stimuli for experiments using tools such as the PsychToolbox, configure protocols on local MRI scanners, recruit and scan subjects, then analyze results.
• Requires strong familiarity with MRI, including the physics and physiology of fMRI.
• Strong coding ability in Matlab, Python, or equivalent is required.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, psychology, engineering (e.g., electrical, biomedical, mechanical), or related field.
• Understanding of BOLD and ASL pulse sequences.

Other

• Strong understanding of BOLD and ASL pulse sequences.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.