Postdoctoral Researcher (Neuroimaging)

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: New
Site: Toronto Western Hospital (Krembil Brain Institute)
Department: Neurosurgery
Reports to: Neurosurgeon
Salary: $75000 annually 
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Monday - Friday
Status: Temporary Full-time (1 year)
Closing Date: May 30 2026

Project Summary

Dr. Andres Lozano is a world renowned functional neurosurgeon and University Professor at the University of Toronto holding the Alan & Susan Hudson Cornerstone Chair in Neurosurgery at Toronto Western Hospital. He is a senior scientist at the Krembil Brain Institute and has authored more than 800 publications on deep brain stimulation and MR guided focused ultrasound with several landmark contributions shaping the field of neuromodulation.

Dr. Alexandre Boutet is a neuroradiologist and early career clinician scientist with more than 150 publications and over 6000 citations. He serves as the Slaight Neuroradiology Lead for Clinical Translation at the University Health Network. His group has developed high field fMRI methods for deep brain stimulation advanced MR techniques for focused ultrasound and safety frameworks that have enabled spine and brain imaging in patients with implanted DBS devices.

This fellowship supports the development optimization and translation of MR Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging (MR-ARFI) an emerging MRI pulse sequence that encodes tissue displacement from a focused ultrasound (FUS) beam. MR-ARFI can provide direct confirmation of focal spot location at sub-ablative sonication energies a long standing unmet need in transcranial MR guided FUS. The successful candidate will lead sequence development on a clinical 3T platform validate performance in tissue mimicking phantoms and then translate the sequence into patient studies in collaboration with the world leading transcranial FUS program at Toronto Western Hospital.

Opportunities includes: 

• Work within one of the leading transcranial MR guided focused ultrasound programs internationally.
• Hands on access to clinical 3T MRI and transcranial FUS systems
• Opportunity to contribute to landmark first in human MR-ARFI translation at a world leading neurosurgical center.
• Mentorship from internationally recognized leaders in functional neurosurgery and neuroimaging with strong industry and multi-site collaborations.

Duties

• Design implement and optimize MR-ARFI pulse sequences on a clinical 3T MRI system including motion encoding gradients synchronized with FUS sonications.
• Build and characterize tissue mimicking phantoms suitable for transcranial and intracranial FUS testing.
• Conduct phantom experiments to quantify sensitivity reproducibility and localization accuracy of the MR-ARFI sequence.
• Lead translation of the optimized sequence into first in human studies including protocol development regulatory and ethics documentation and on scanner data acquisition.
• Present results at international meetings (ISMRM FUS Foundation) and lead first author publications in high impact journals.

Qualifications :

• PhD in MRI physics medical physics biomedical engineering or a closely related discipline required.
• Demonstrated experience in MRI pulse sequence development and optimization.
• Strong background in MR signal processing image reconstruction and quantitative MRI.
• Experience with ultrasound physics MR guided focused ultrasound MR thermometry or elastography is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in Python MATLAB and/or C; experience with phantom design and benchtop experimentation preferred.
• Interest in translational MR physics and a clear motivation to move developments from the bench into patient care.

Additional Information :

Why join UHN
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world UHN offers a wide range of benefits programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor allowing you to find value where it matters most to you now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel restaurants parking phone plans auto insurance discounts on-site gyms etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHNs attendance management program to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading inaccurate or incorrect UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Contract