Post-doctoral researchers in the field of medical ultrasonics and medical acoustics

The Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE) at Aalto University aims to understand system-level dynamic functions of the human brain, mind, and body. We develop spearheading technology and computational methods which pave the way for discoveries and breakthroughs that contribute to health and wellbeing. NBE brings together systems and cognitive neuroscience, biophysics, and biomedical engineering. The levels of description in the research and education at the department range from molecular and cellular measures to noninvasive neuroimaging and behavioral measurements. New generations of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers are educated by engaging them with cutting-edge science and technology.

The Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering at Aalto University is looking for post-doctoral researchers in the field of medical ultrasonics/acoustics, as described in the calls 1 and 2.

1. Post-Doctoral Researcher in Air Ultrasonics

Ultrasonics is widely used for non-invasive characterization of pathologies, anatomy and physiology, allowing quantitative analysis. Quantitative ultrasonics are typically coupled to skin to obtain good acoustical coupling. Air ultrasonic applications in medical ultrasonics are more rare, because of the poor acoustic coupling of sound to tissue.

We are looking for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to work with air ultrasonics to characterize physiology of human subjects. The research topic is highly novel; the project is applied research with neuroscience questions. We foresee a large number of applications in research and healthcare, also beyond the field of neuroscience.

Your background and expertise
As an ideal candidate you have a PhD or you are finalizing your PhD by the end of 2023. You have a strong background in ultrasonics, employing single channel or multichannel systems and strong skills in signal analysis or advanced methods in ultrasound imaging. You should have a strong capability to design and conduct experimentation related to quantitative ultrasonics as well as have capability on designing transducer arrangements. The candidate is expected to be familiar with modern methods applied in contact or air ultrasonics, preferably applied for material or tissue characterization. The candidate should have skills in electronics, hardware and preferably prototyping.

Ideally, you are a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal and English skills. You are capable of managing your own workload and can work both independently and as a part of the team. You are expected to contribute to instructing PhD students. Therefore, we expect successful supervision experience or potential to supervise successfully. You demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to the highest level of academic research with ambitious goals and you have published high-impact research.

What we offer

You will work along with about 10 other researchers from Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (MEDUSA) (main site of your research) at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE), Aalto University and Oxford University Hospitals. MEDUSA’s research is currently funded by Academy of Finland, Business Finland, Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, EU and NBE.

The salary level is fixed to departmental levels based on career stage starting from 4104€/month for a Post-doc. While you are funded for 1 year for a dedicated project, we expect you to apply your own academic funding for further research.

Aalto University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts.

Ready to apply?
Please, submit your application through our online recruitment system by using the link below on Aalto University’s web page (« Apply”).

Apply at latest 15 October 2023.

Please, provide the following as separate documents along with your application. All application materials should be in English.

•    1-page motivation letter
•    CV with a list of publications
•    Your PhD thesis (or draft if you are about to complete it by the end of year)
•    List of references
•    Optionally, a summary of a preliminary project plan (max. 1 page) to which you aim to start applying your own research funding. This summary should include a direct connection to ultrasound and medicine.

Please note: Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal system Workday Internal Jobs by using their existing Workday user account.

The call is open until Oct 15, 2023, but it may be closed earlier if a suitable candidate has been identified before the closing date. The applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.

Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period, reopen the application process, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

For more information
Please contact Prof. Heikki Nieminen, the Head of MEDUSA by email: heikki.j.nieminen@aalto.fi and in application process related questions HR Partner Jenni Ståhl, jenni.stahl@aalto.fi.

To learn more about our lab, please visit http://medusa.aalto.fi.

Keywords: air ultrasonics, ultrasonics, transducers, neuroscience, measurement, signal analysis

2. Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Acoustics of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (2-year fellowship)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method for stimulating the brain from for diagnostic, therapeutic and neuroscience research purposes. The system involves magnetic coils that produce, in addition to the desired magnetic field, high-intensity click noise in audible and ultrasound frequencies, when high currents are flowing within the TMS coils. This noise, up to 140 dB in some cases, is considered to be one of the main risks for broad adaptation of TMS in clinical and research settings as the subject and the user can be subjected this high noise.

We are looking for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to join a project aiming at coming up with novel and innovative solutions to suppress the acoustic emission from TMS coils. We foresee that a successful conduction of the study can have broad impact clinically and in neuroscience research in the field of TMS.

Your background and expertise

As an ideal candidate you have a PhD or you are finalizing your PhD by the end of 2023. You have a strong background in acoustics, especially in designing experimental systems, devices and/or prototypes in the field of acoustics.

It would be beneficial that the candidate have knowledge and experience in analyzing materials such as plastics to understand and control their behavior and durability when subjected to the strong forces from the magnetic coils. Skills or knowhow in control electronics or high-power electronics is considered as a plus. The ideal candidate has demonstrated creativity in coming up with solutions in demanding experimental systems.

Ideally, you are a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal and English skills.  You are capable of managing your own workload and can work both independently and as a part of the team. You are expected to contribute to instructing PhD students. Therefore, we expect successful supervision experience or potential to supervise successfully. You demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to the highest level of academic research with ambitious goals and you have published high-impact research.

What we offer

You will work along with about 15 other researchers from Aalto University School of Science (Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (host) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Laboratory) and Electrical Engineering (Aalto Acoustics Lab). MEDUSA’s research is currently funded by Academy of Finland, Business Finland, Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, European Union and NBE. The TMS group is funded by the European Union, Academy of Finland, Novo Nordisk Foundation (Denmark) as well as the Wellcome Trust (USA) and other foundations.

The salary level is fixed to departmental levels based on career stage starting from 4104€/month for a Post-doc. The decision process takes place in two steps: the top candidate is first selected, followed by competitive evaluation and decision regarding the award of the fellowship by a school level committee. When employed, you are funded for 2 years for a dedicated project.

Aalto University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts.

Ready to apply?

Please, submit your application through our online recruitment system by using the link below on Aalto University’s web page (« Apply”).

Apply at latest 15 October 2023.

Application materials should be in English.

Please, provide the following as separate documents along with your application.
•    1-page motivation letter
•    CV with a list of publications
•    Your PhD thesis (or draft if you are about to complete it by the end of year)
•    List of references
•    Optionally a summary of a preliminary project plan (max. 1 page) to which you aim to start applying your own research funding. This summary should include a direct connection to ultrasound and medicine.

Please note: Aalto University´s employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal system Workday Internal Jobs by using their existing Workday user account.

The call is open until Oct 15, 2023, but it may be closed earlier if a suitable candidate has been identified before the closing date. The applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.

Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period, reopen the application process, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

For more information

Please contact Prof. Heikki Nieminen, the Head of MEDUSA by email: heikki.j.nieminen@aalto.fi and in application process related questions HR Partner Jenni Ståhl, jenni.stahl@aalto.fi.

To learn more about research, please visit:

MEDUSA: http://medusa.aalto.fi.
TMS group: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-neuroscience-and-biomedical-engineering/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms
Aalto Acoustics Lab: https://www.aalto.fi/en/aalto-acoustics-lab

Keywords: air ultrasonics, ultrasonics, transducers, neuroscience, measurement, signal analysis, transcranial magnetic stimulation

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Hakuilmoitus suomeksi löytyy täältä

https://www.aalto.fi/fi/palvelut/tutkijatohtori-2-paikkaa-laaketieteellisen-ultraaanenakustiikan-alalle

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