Postdoctoral Fellow Position | Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School

Institution: Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Harvard Medical School (HMS)

Research Center: Athinoula

A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging

Research Lab: Jacobs Lab

Research Area: Neurochemical Changes in Aging & Neurodegeneration | Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy | Neuroimaging | Alzheimer’s Disease Research

The Athinoula

A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Jacobs Lab, led by Dr. Heidi Jacobs.

The position focuses on investigating neurochemical changes associated with aging and neurodegeneration using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), functional MRS (fMRS), and combined fMRI-MRS, with applications to the early detection and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions.

Investigate neurochemical alterations associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular interest in mechanisms relevant to Alzheimer’s disease.

Apply magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and functional MRS (fMRS) to study neurochemical changes in the human brain.

Integrate MRS/fMRS with structural and functional MRI, PET imaging, and other multimodal approaches.

Research will include investigation of subcortical nuclei, particularly the locus coeruleus, which is relevant to aging and neurodegeneration.

Design and optimize MRS experiments, analyze spectroscopic data, and accurately interpret neurochemical changes while considering methodological limitations.

Combine neuroimaging with cognitive assessments, psychological measures, physiological recordings, pupil measurements, and blood-based markers.

The selected Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to:

• Conduct research on neurochemical changes in aging and neurodegeneration.
• Perform experiments using MRS, fMRS, and/or combined time-resolved fMRI-MRS.
• Optimize MRS sequence parameters and experimental protocols.
• Design tasks and scanning paradigms optimized for fMRS.
• Conduct MRS data acquisition and analysis at 3T and/or 7T MRI.
• Analyze and interpret neurochemical data.
• Integrate fMRS with structural and functional MRI and PET.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary research projects.
• Communicate research findings through scientific presentations and publications.
• Work collaboratively with researchers, students, postdoctoral fellows, and research coordinators.
• Develop research skills relevant to future academic and scientific career opportunities.

The position focuses on the intersection of neuroimaging, neurochemistry, aging, and neurodegeneration, with emphasis on:

• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)
• Functional MRS (fMRS)
• fMRI-MRS
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Structural MRI
• Functional MRI
• 3T MRI
• 7T MRI
• Physiological Measurements

The research environment provides opportunities to combine MRS/fMRS with complementary neuroimaging and behavioral approaches.

Applicants should:

• Hold a PhD in Biomedical Physics, Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroimaging, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• Have hands-on experience with MRS, fMRS, and/or combined time-resolved fMRI-MRS.
• Have experience with MRS sequence parameter optimization.
• Have experience with task design optimized for fMRS.
• Have experience with MRS data acquisition and/or analysis at 3T and/or 7T MRI.
• Demonstrate strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Be able to critically evaluate and interpret neurochemical imaging data.
• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be capable of working independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research environment.
• Have a strong interest in aging and neurodegenerative disease research.

Experience in the following areas will be highly relevant:

• Magnetic…