Research Associate

Research Associate – Ultra-Low-Field MRI for Brain Digital Twins

Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology

We are seeking a Research Associate to join CUBRIC to work on the UKRI-funded project “Physics-Led Development of Brain Digital Twin Technology Using Low-Cost MRI and EEG in Sub-Saharan Africa”. The project is led by University College London in partnership with Cardiff University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Makerere University (Uganda), with partners at the University of Pavia, Aix-Marseille University and Leiden University.

Brain digital twins – personalised computational models of brain dynamics built with platforms such as The Virtual Brain – currently depend on high-field MRI and high-density EEG, which are available only in a few well-resourced centres. This project aims to show that brain digital twins grounded in physics can be built from ultra-low-field MRI and portable EEG, and to build lasting research capacity in this field in Uganda.

You will lead the Cardiff contribution to the development of physics-based acquisition protocols for ultra-low-field MRI, in particular diffusion-weighted imaging for reconstructing the structural connectome, working with the team in Mbarara, who operate a Halbach-array scanner. You will develop pipelines for tractography and structural connectivity from ultra-low-field data, benchmark them against high-field data, and work with colleagues at UCL, Pavia and Marseille to integrate the resulting connectomes into brain digital twin simulations. The role has a strong training component: you will contribute to an open online lecture series on the physics of brain digital twins and help deliver a School on the topic in Uganda, working closely with postdoctoral researchers there. The post involves international travel, including to Uganda.

You will hold a PhD (or be close to submission) in physics, engineering, neuroscience or a related discipline, with experience of MRI acquisition and/or diffusion MRI analysis and strong programming skills. Experience of low-field MRI, EEG or whole-brain modelling would be an advantage.

CUBRIC is one of Europe’s leading brain imaging centres, housing MRI systems ranging from portable ultra-low-field MRI to 3T scanners, including the ultra-strong-gradient Connectome scanner, alongside MEG, EEG and TMS facilities.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Mara Cercignani ([email protected]).

This position is full-time (35 hours per week) and fixed term until 31 March 2028.

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

Salary: £41,885 - £46,970 per annum (Grade 6).

Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It's an exciting and vibrant place to work with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those from under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT +, Ethnic Minority or those with disabilities. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.