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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Two PhD positions: ultrasound neuromodulation and magnetic resonance imaging

Project's background

Transcranial low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is gaining momentum as an emerging alternative for non-invasive brain stimulation. Unlike other techniques that deliver electric or magnetic signals to the brain, LIFU utilizes sound waves that are inaudible to the human ear. LIFU can provide a high penetration depth (10-15 cm), precision (~mm), and selectivity (it can modulate deep brain activity without directly affecting the cortex). Numerous studies have been conducted, demonstrating that LIFU is a safe neuromodulation technique that can effectively excite and inhibit neural activity. This can have significant implications for neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Today, LIFU is not yet a clinically available tool, presenting a unique opportunity to accelerate the translation process by proposing novel solutions to address the remaining challenges related to, but not limited to, understanding neural effects, ultrasound targeting, safety limits, and optimal treatment parameters. We aim to address unmet needs by developing novel hardware systems and methods for personalized theranostics (therapy and diagnostics), utilizing combined LIFU and ultra-high field (UHF) MRI – an ultra-sensitive technique for in vivo probing of neural activity and metabolism.

Your main duties and responsibilities

We are seeking two exceptional PhD candidates to work on two projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF): 

 

Project 1: Innovative hardware systems for in vivo, multi-focal, LIFU deep brain neuromodulation and simultaneous whole-brain ultra-high field MRI at 7T.

Your task will be related to: RF coil/antenna and RF electronics design, RF field optimization, ultrasound array design, phantom design, 3D mechanical design, RF/ultrasound experimental validation, RF/acoustic field simulations, and RF/ultrasound safety.

 

Project 2: Novel methods for real-time LIFU safety monitoring and rapid, through-skull ultrasound targeting free of ionizing radiation.

Your tasks will be related to: RF/ultrasound safety, RF/acoustic field simulations, ultrasound beam characterization using hydrophones, temperature measurements using fiberoptic probes, phantom design, MR image segmentation and processing, development of fast algorithms for ultrasound targeting, RF pulse sequence optimization: ultra-short echo time pulse sequences, acoustic radiation force imaging (ARFI), and MR thermometry.

 

As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:

  • Have full responsibility for your own dissertation
  • Research in close collaboration with industry partners
  • Experiment design and execution
  • Analyze and interpret experimental results
  • Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals
  • Present at international conferences
  • Participate in education and supervise student projects

Your profile

We are seeking creative and self-motivated candidates who demonstrate a high level of perseverance and commitment, and who want to push the boundaries of non-invasive brain stimulation and UHF-MRI. In particular, we are looking for the following skills and experience:

 

    • A master's (MSc) degree or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level in electrical/RF/microwave/mechanical/biomedical engineering, electronics, medical physics, physics, or related field
    • Readiness to work on hybrid tasks: hardware development (RF coil/antenna design), in silico modeling (electromagnetic, acoustic, thermal), experimental physics (phantom design and ultrasound beam characterization, RF field mapping), MR pulse sequence optimization, and image reconstruction
    • Rigorous work habits, a curious and critical mind, and a good sense of initiative
    • Excellent skills in English (oral and written) are required. Knowledge of French is a plus
    • Previous exposure to ultrasound engineering (transducer design, ultrasound focusing, ultrasound beam characterization) is a big plus
    • Prior exposure to medical imaging and/or neuroimaging is a plus
    • Specifically for Project 1: A genuine interest in designing, constructing, and evaluating novel hardware technologies is a must. Previously demonstrated experience in hardware-related projects is an advantage
    • Specifically for Project 2: A genuine interest and related experience in working at the interface of experimental physics and MRI pulse sequence design/optimization and MRI image reconstruction. Prior experience in programming (ideally in Matlab and C++/Python) is an advantage

We offer

  • Up to 4-year funding provided by the SNSF
  • A multidisciplinary, challenging, and potentially highly impactful project
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art resources
  • A dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international team of very motivated people
  • A link to thriving biomedical imaging and neuroscience communities in Lausanne and Geneva

Other information and how to apply

Your application should contain:

  • A motivation letter
  • Your detailed CV
  • Contact information
  • The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letter

 

Application deadline: 10/12/2025

Contract Start Date: 01/01/2026

Activity Rate : 100,00

Contract Type: PhD Student

Duration: 4 years

Reference: 1831

 

Selection process and supervision:

 

The EPFL student (PhD1) will be supervised by Dr. Daniel Wenz (EPFL) and Prof. Dimitrios Karampinos (EPFL). PhD1 will be an affiliate member of the CIBM and a member of the EPFL’s Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems and Methods (MRISM). Short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program, i.e. EDEE or EDPY, to qualify for a PhD at EPFL. Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

 

The UNIGE student (PhD2) will be supervised by Dr. Daniel Wenz (EPFL) and Prof. Rares Salomir (HUG/UNIGE). PhD2 will be an affiliate member of the CIBM and a member of UNIGE’s Image Guided Interventions Laboratory. Short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to the UNIGE Doctoral Program in Life Sciences, Physics and Biology to qualify for a PhD at UNIGE. Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at UNIGE.

 

Collaboration:

  • University of Utah, US - Henrik Odéen,
  • EPFL - Lijing Xin, Bruno Herbelin.
  • HUG - Felix Kurz, Paul Constanthin.

 

For more information, please contact: daniel.wenz@epfl.ch










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