PhD student in medical radiation physics

Description of the activities: The Department of Medical Radiation Physics provides education and conducts research in various areas of medical radiation physics (www.msf.lu.se/). The project will be carried out within the Magnetic Resonance Imaging research group (https://www.msf.lu.se/mr-physics-group), whose main focus is developing new techniques for quantitative MR imaging using different contrast mechanisms.
Being a PhD student: As a PhD student, you are enrolled in a doctoral programme and are expected to complete the programme described in your individual study plan.
Your studies will train you in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as giving you practice in thinking critically and analytically, solving problems independently using appropriate methods, and developing an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity as a PhD student to work on projects and develop your leadership skills and teaching abilities. You will be guided by supervisors throughout your studies. Doctoral studies conclude with the defence of a thesis at a public defence and the award of a doctoral degree.
Subject and project description: Diffusion MRI (dMRI) is used to investigate the microscopic properties of tissue by studying the random movement of water molecules. Diffusion is slow in dense tissue, while it is faster in less dense tissue. dMRI can therefore be used to detect cancer that causes abnormally high cell density. Current dMRI methods, however, have high sensitivity but limited specificity. This limitation can be overcome by controlling how diffusion is encoded by the MR scanner, making it possible to obtain more detailed information about the microstructure of tissue in the living human body. For example, we aim to distinguish properties such as cell density, cell shape, cell size, blood volume and the permeability of cell membranes. These parameters are then evaluated as potential image-based biomarkers for improved diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. This project will focus on developing methods for improving and analysing acquired MR images.
During your doctoral studies, you will follow the general syllabus for doctoral education in medical radiation physics: Revised general syllabus in medical radiation physics
Duties: You will primarily focus on your doctoral studies, which mainly involve participating in courses and completing a doctoral thesis. An individual study plan for your studies will be drawn up in consultation with you.
Qualifications: To be admitted to doctoral education and employed as a PhD student, you must meet the requirements below.
Eligibility requirements: You meet the general entry requirements for doctoral education if you have:
a second-cycle qualification or
completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at second-cycle level or
otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

You meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral education in medical radiation physics if you have:
a degree in hospital physics, or an equivalent foreign qualification or
completed another higher education programme meeting the general entry requirements (240 higher education credits), including courses directly relevant to the doctoral student's education totalling at least 60 higher education credits, and completed a degree project of at least 30 higher education credits.

Selection criteria: Candidates will be selected based on their ability to benefit from the programme, assessed according to the following:
Academic results from first- and second-cycle courses or equivalent level.
The breadth, depth and relevance of completed first- and second-cycle courses or equivalent level. Courses in mathematics, mathematical statistics, physics, signal processing and computational methods are considered particularly relevant.
The quality of the degree project and other independent work.
Good ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in English.
Documented knowledge of medical imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and diffusion MRI.
Documented knowledge of mathematical modelling and numerical optimisation.
Documented good programming skills and documented experience with programming languages such as Python, MATLAB or equivalent.
Documented knowledge of image processing, image registration and image correction methods.
Documented knowledge of deep learning methods.
Experience of development projects in a research environment involving MR and computational methods.
Personal qualities considered conducive to the ability to complete the components and tasks of doctoral education, such as independence, analytical ability, creativity, problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively.

About the position: This is a full-time fixed-term position starting on 2027-01-01 or as soon as possible, by agreement. Doctoral studies take four years on a full-time basis. The employment period will be extended accordingly for teaching and other departmental duties. Regulations on employment as a PhD student are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.
Other: Top-ranked candidates may be invited to interview.
How to apply: See Lund University’s website.