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"Investigating the effect of spaceflight on the brain using advanced MRI techniques"

Short summary

You will be working on a project that involves brain MRI data acquisition in astronauts. The MRI scans are acquired in Moscow and Cologne, after which the data needs to be processed through specialised MRI software to find out the differences between the scans acquired before and after the space mission. In addition, spaceflight analogue studies will be performed that mimic certain aspects of spaceflight in a controlled set-up here on Earth. For this project, you will be working together with research groups from all over the world to investigate the effects of spaceflight on the brain through a multidisciplinary approach.

Description of the project

Introduction to LEIA

The Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA) investigates the effect of spaceflight on the brain and the vestibular system. Another research focus of LEIA involves better understanding the pathophysiology of patients with dizziness disorders and developing treatment options for such patients.

The project that researchers the effect of spaceflight on the brain (named "BRAIN-DTI") has been running for 6.5 years and is still ongoing. The project involves imaging the brain of Russian cosmonauts and European astronauts before and after a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) using MRI. In addition, the BRAIN-DTI project includes studies that make use of analogue set-ups on Earth to mimic certain effects of spaceflight, such as parabolic flight, head-down bed rest, and hindlimb unloading.

Description of the PhD project

You will be mainly working on two principal work packages as part of the BRAIN-DTI project:

1) MRI data analysis of cosmonauts and astronauts.

You will acquire in-depth knowledge and hands-on skills of MRI data processing by attending courses, collaborating with experienced researchers, and by following recent advancements in the field of MRI. You should also be able to travel to Moscow or Cologne to take part in the MRI data acquisition.

2) Performing the head-down bed-rest (HDBR) study:

The European Space Agency (ESA) has planned two HDBR campaigns in 2022-2023 and LEIA's project proposal to acquire brain MRI scans of the HDBR participants was selected. For this study, you will be involved in preparing the study, acquiring brain MRI scans on-site, and analyse the MRI data afterwards.

About the candidate

Diploma: Master’s in Biomedical Sciences or similar (e.g. Biomedical Engineer, Bio-engineer, Medicine, Biology...)

Advantages: background in Neuroscience, PC and programming skills (e.g. Matlab), previous academic experience (author on scientific article, internships etc.)

Language: The candidate should speak and write in English fluently

Interested? Please send over your CV and motivation letter (max 1 A4 page) to:

floris.wuyts@uantwerpen.be

steven.jillings@uantwerpen.be

For more information about LEIA, please follow the link below

​https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/lab-for-equilibrium-investigations-and-aerospace/​