项目介绍

2026年9月17日

About the position

We have a vacant 100% PhD position in the MRI Physics Group at the Department of Physics, NTNU.

The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the MRI Physics Group and the X-ray Physics Group at the Department of Physics. In the MRI Physics Group, we aim to improve image quality in medical imaging for diagnostic purposes and neuroscience research. Accurate and sensitive imaging is crucial for diagnosis, research, and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and ALS. Among other techniques, we use functional MRI (fMRI), which is a method for measuring brain activity and connectivity between nerve cells.

MRI measurements can be affected by magnetic field inhomogeneities, resulting in geometric distortion and signal loss in the images. The aim of the project is to investigate the potential of using Implicit Neural Representation (INR), a class of neural networks, for reconstructing MR images directly from MR signals. By incorporating a physical model of the MR signal into the training of the INR network, we aim to compensate for the effects of magnetic field inhomogeneities in the reconstructed images.

Initially, this approach will be applied to functional MRI of the spinal cord, based on data acquired using a high-field MRI system (7 Tesla). NTNU hosts Norway’s first, and currently only, 7T MRI system for clinical use and research. We will also investigate the broader potential of INR-based image reconstruction for various MRI applications, including industrial applications in geology.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Simulate MRI data and model disturbances arising from various physical sources
• Develop, implement and train INR models for MRI time-series data
• Analyze functional MRI data of the spinal cord
• Present research findings in written form through academic publications
• Present research findings orally and participate in international conferences
• Assist with teaching activities

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master’s degree in physics, mathematics, biomedical engineering, computer science or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level. Master students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than 31 August 2027.  
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master’s degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme in Physics or Biophysics at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, alternatively the PhD programme in Medical Technology at the Medical Faculty.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English 
• Good programming skillsPLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with machine learning and neural networks
• Basic knowledge of MR physics
• Experience with signal processing and/or image processing
• Experience with Linux systems and High Performance Computing
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian / Scandinavian language is an advantage 

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Work independently and together with colleagues from different fields of research
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions 
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.