PhD position

Project background and aims: MRI of peripheral nerves, MR neurography, 

• is a complementary and non-invasive diagnostic tool for evaluating peripheral nerve diseases. It enables morphological investigation of proximal and deeply situated nerve segments but is limited by the MRN sequence characteristics, such as being 2-D with limited anatomical coverage due to long acquisition times (e.g. ~1 hour for an entire lower extremity), and sensitivity to motion artifacts. These challenges limit their extended use despite their potential of shedding new insights into nerve pathology. 
• This project aims to develop an entirely new MRN sequence with an automated AI-based postprocessing tailored for assessing the nerve morphology including a substructural analysis of nerve fascicles and quantification of lesions at high resolution and large coverage. 
• The work of the PhD student involves developing AI-based image segmentation methods for nerves and muscles, proposing novel substructural markers for nerve compartmentalization, and performing data analysis of the extracted clinical parameters. 
• The developed methodology will be validated in a clinical study involving healthy volunteers and patients. 
• Alongside this PhD position, another PhD student will work on MR sequence development, complementing a strong team to deliver next generation MR neurography.

• You have a MSc degree in electrical or biomedical engineering, computational sciences, physics, mathematics, or related field. Familiarity with AI/ML is a plus
• You are at ease with programming, image processing and data analysis
• Prior experience with programming and image processing is an advantage
• Strong team spirit and ability to work autonomously with a willingness to learn
• Excellent oral and written skills in English. German and French are a plus

With the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, the hospitals Riggisberg, Aarberg, Belp and the Bern Rehabilitation Center Heiligenschwendi, the Insel Gruppe forms the largest full-service medical care system in Switzerland, from cutting-edge medicine to primary care. More than 11,000 employees from 102 nations ensure that our patients are treated according to the latest developments, methods and possibilities in medicine.