About the Project
We are seeking capable researchers (non-clinical or clinical) to investigate the biophysical basis and clinical applications of MRI T1-mapping, both in heart and in extra-cardiac organs. Our interests include exploring dynamic conditions that change tissue T1, such as administration of stress or contrast agents.
The content of the work will be tailored to the candidate’s profile. The technical aspects may include mathematical modelling to explain acquired data and to streamline data analysis. Prior experience and interest in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a distinctive advantage, and would allow acquisition of new CMR data in-vitro and/or in-vivo with training. A clinical/medical background may allow the project to progress towards clinical application in specific patient cohorts, beyond the study of normal controls – for this aspect, an appropriate, clinically-qualified CMR expert collaborator (Prof. Vanessa Ferreira, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine) will act as co-supervisor. Please contact the prospective supervisors for further details.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
As well as the specific training detailed above, students will have access to a wide-range of seminars and training opportunities through the many research institutes and centres based in Oxford. Students are also able to attend the Methods and Techniques course run by the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. This course runs through the year, ensuring that students have the opportunity to build a broad-based understanding of differing research techniques.
Generic skills training is offered through the Medical Sciences Division’s Skills Training Programme. This programme offers a comprehensive range of courses covering many important areas of researcher development: knowledge and intellectual abilities, personal effectiveness, research governance and organisation, and engagement, influence and impact. Students are actively encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunities available to them.
The Department has a successful mentoring scheme, open to graduate students, which provides an additional possible channel for personal and professional development outside the regular supervisory framework. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to support the careers of female students and staff.
Funding Notes
Funding for this project is available to basic scientists through the RDM Scholars Programme, which offers funding to outstanding candidates from any country. Successful candidates will have all tuition and college fees paid and will receive a stipend of £18,000 per annum.
For October 2018 entry, the application deadline is 8th January 2018 at 12 noon (midday).
Please visit our website for more information on how to apply.
References
1 Piechnik, S.K., et al., Shortened Modified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (ShMOLLI) for clinical myocardial T1-mapping at 1.5 and 3 T within a 9 heartbeat breathhold. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson, 2010. 12: p. 69
2 Mahmod, M., et al., Adenosine stress native T1 mapping in severe aortic stenosis: evidence for a role of the intravascular compartment on myocardial T1 values. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson, 2014. 16: p. 92
3 Ferreira, V.M., et al., Native T1-mapping detects the location, extent and patterns of acute myocarditis without the need for gadolinium contrast agents. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson, 2014. 16: p. 36
4 Liu, A., et al., Adenosine Stress and Rest T1 Mapping Can Differentiate Between Ischemic, Infarcted, Remote, and Normal Myocardium Without the Need for Gadolinium Contrast Agents. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging, 2016. 9(1): p. 27-36
5 Moon, J.C., et al., Myocardial T1 mapping and extracellular volume quantification: a Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) and CMR Working Group of the European Society of Cardiology consensus statement. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson, 2013. 15: p. 92
6 Piechnik, S.K., S. Neubauer, and V.M. Ferreira, State-of-the-art review: stress T1 mapping-technical considerations, pitfalls and emerging clinical applications. MAGMA, 2017
7 Piechnik, S.K. and M. Jerosch-Herold, Myocardial T1 mapping and extracellular volume quantification: an overview of technical and biological confounders. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging, 2017
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